so i just ordered some short tube headers for my 1997 ram with the 5.9 v-8. it already has 2 1/2 inch true duals off the stock manifolds. i've done headers before so i know what that entails, and these look fairly simple to install. My only concern is my motor has roughly 115xxx miles on it, so i know the exhaust studs will snap easily. The headers probably won't be in for another 2 weeks or so, but im already starting to soak the manifolds in penetrating oil once daily. Is there anything else i can do to help make sure i don't snap any studs. thanks

 

Hit 'em with something like PB Blaster, and then tap on 'em with a hammer. Don't beat on em, just tap. The vibration will help the fluid soak into the threads, and hopefully let them come out easier.

 

theres some different stuff out there that works better than PB blaster. stuff like kroil. also theres this other stuff i can't remember some guys using. it has to do with cold but can't think of it, lol sorry just got done running like 4 miles.

 

thanks for that, ill give that a try, also i have a propane torch, i was going to warm each bolt up when i go to take them out, i am really paranoid about snapping a bolt off in the head.

 

I got lucky, I guess, but not one bolt snapped or stripped. Although I used an assortment of 7/16, 1/2, 12mm, and 13mm sockets and wrenches to get the bolts out. Trust me, it wasn't easy.

 

Don't warm the bolts before trying to take 'em out. Heat makes them expand, which will make them grip tighter.

 

I've had decent results with heating the bolt and surrounding area with a propane torch and then holding wax (I used birthday cake candles) at the base of the bolt. Once a liberal amount of wax has melted around the base of the bolt/bolt hole, then let it cool for 30 minutes to an hour. Theory is.. as it cools, it draws the wax in and seeps around the threads and acts as a lubricant. One of my old man's ideas. Hope it helps.

 

You should heat the surrounding area so that it expands but try to keep the bolt cool. The wax trick sounds like it may work on normal bolts but the factory manifolds have really long bolts and the threads are a long way from the head. You would have to try to get the wax between the head and manifold and hope it got to the threads.

 

good point, they will be getting a bath in penetrating oil at least once a day ubtil they come in and i get a few hours to install them. Also, be fore i forget, what are the torque specs for those bolts, and what order should i torque them. On top of that, im going to re torque them every 2 weeks for about the first 6-8 weeks they are on, or is that over kill. And correct me if im wrong, but i was planning on using red lock tight on the bolts.

 

Ive heard a 50/50 mix of acitone and atf works best. not sure where I heard it just know ive heard it before.