Removing exhaust manifold bolts

[Draayer]

I'm trying to remove my 4runners heads to replace a blown head gasket and I'm stuck trying to remove the exhaust manifold bolts. Some of the bolts came out with the nut, but some bolts didn't move but the nuts came off. I tried putting two nuts on and turning the inside bolt but all I ended up doing was stripping threads. I'm about to pull out the thin cut but not much good can happen when the cutting starts.
Any suggestions would be so so appreciated.

 

[jgue467]

So you already put some liquid wrench, wd40 or whatever your fav loosening agent on them? may take repeated sprays over several hours. Then some light tapping and more spray and tapping and spray then wait some more then try.

 

[Robb235]

This might be a dumb question, but do you have to remove the studs? Will the manifold not slide off over the studs once the nut is removed?

 

[Draayer]

Bolts

I have sprayed liquid wrench on the bolts for the last week. The problem is there isn't anything to attach to on the bolts. The end of the bolts have a star type pattern and I planned on going to a parts store tomorrow to see if they have something that will attach to the end of the bolt. I'm guessing others have had this same issue and I'm wondering if there was some tricks that helped.

I assumed I could slide the manifolds over the studs but now I'm wondering if they are threaded. There are three bolts that attached the exhaust under the truck and in looking at those it looks like those have threads.

 

[shootmymime]

Torch the nut. Get it almost red hot (hotter than it will with the engine running.) that will make the nut expand and brake it's self free from the stud.

Good luck!

 

[TheDurk]

Heat, PB Blaster and hammer blows as said above. Also, it sometimes helps to unstick a fastener to try to TIGHTEN it a smidge, then try to loosen it.

 

[541joseph]

Pull it off the down pipe or just pull the head off the manifold.

 

[Draayer]

Bolts are off

I have removed all the nuts but the exhaust manifolds aren't moving so I'm assuming the bolts are threaded, is that not the case?

 

[541joseph]

I have removed all the nuts but the exhaust manifolds aren't moving so I'm assuming the bolts are threaded, is that not the case?

No get a big screw driver or something and pry them apart as Lon as your 100% sure you have all the nuts off

 

[Robb235]

I have removed all the nuts but the exhaust manifolds aren't moving so I'm assuming the bolts are threaded, is that not the case?

Have you completely removed the crossover pipe? I think you'll need to remove that before removing the manifold.