So today I attempted to take my drivers exhaust manifold off my 2000 Durango 4.7l 4x4...30 mins in, i got all but the rear top and bottom bolt,and the lower middle one(half rounded)..The rust on the back two, seems soo bad i had to grind half the stem off to get deep socket on.But still cant get on strong..My idea is to buy socket for rounded bolts.Get rounded one out, and slide the manifold away from two back ones.Then twist them out with vice scrips.Any other ideas?Thanks all!

p.s I also noticed light oil trace(fresh) along the head gasket trim,and oil down a 1/2 q again.Head gasket going?

 

You'll find that once you get the manifold off the broken studs will come out pretty easily with some vice grips. I had to use a little heat on one of them but a propane torch concentrated on the stud was enough to do the job. They're aluminum heads so you want to keep heat to a minimum.

I cut the heads off the ones that wouldn't come out with a dremel cutoff wheel and a small chisel.

Oil really shouldn't leak thru the head gasket, and if it is I'd expect that water is coming out even more. I'd be more inclined to think it's coming from the vacuum line that exits the rear of the head by the firewall in a large 90 degree bend line that tends to crack with age. A plugged pcv will cause oil to leak from that line.

Why are you taking the manifold off? Also, if you haven't done it already, you can remove the inner plastic wheel well to make access a lot easier. Just snap off the plastic fasteners with pliers. You can buy cheap replacements at a Fastenall store that are pretty close in size.

Good luck!
Bob

 

Ok thnaks for the reply.i'll check that line!I have had bad build of condensation I just got under control and changed PCV and oil.The gasket is leaking BAD at the rear of the manifold is cracked.So close to the head had to tell,so changing all bolts,gasket and good condition used manifold.

 

Sounds good. FWIW I used hardware store stainless steel bolts when replacing mine as the heat shields were pretty badly rusted up anyways and not worth putting on. Don't recall the size but they were metric and readily available from our local Valu home center. Flat and lock washers on each one and I've had no leaks in 1.5 years.

Bob

 

I got bolts and washers form dodge for 2.50 ea x 8..I'll post tomorrow with some pics and let ya know how it went.Thanks again.Kyle

 

Iron bolts into aluminum=stuck usually. I would soak them in penetrating lube next time, if you can avoid driving it for a day. Found this to be helpful on a few projects now.
Good luck

 

+1 adukart. Its a good idea to soak em in penetrating lube...makes the job so much easier.

 

I just replaced both exhaust manifolds on a customers truck.... two things , soak the studs with Jb blaster overnight, and use hand tools, preferably 3/8 ratchet and pray you do not break the bolts.

 

whenever i plan on doing something with my D that involves rusted bolts i soak them the night before. i had too many issue with broken bolts in my old chevy. learned my lesson

 

UPDATE:Bolts come off not bad at front of engine.The rear lower i had to get my handy 4" grinder in the carefully to grind head off.(could not get any socket on so rusted over/rounded..The middle lower also...Then i found out the top stud was broken off almost 1/4 into the head.There was also barley any gasket on the back most part.I then used my pointed punch and PB to slowly tap it out!Then put back together and listen to her purrrrr..haha