96 Duratec oil pan gasket removal...

[tamango98]

Once again I have another question.
I've been underneath my car for 2 days (2-3hrs/day) trying to remove the exhaust pipe that's underneath the oil pan. I removed the 2 front bolts of the exhaust.
Now what's stopping me is the other exhaust bolts located by the rear of the tranny. They're rusted and in a bad spot. I could only get to them from underneath the car. I can't get a torch or WD40 to the bolt, and the bolt is stripped just a bit. I'm using 1/2 and 3/8 sockets, and with a pipe on the ratchet for exta leverage. Tha's how it's started to strip, so I stoped.

Any info. tips or tricks? I would cut the bolts off, but no room for grinder

Thanks

[Johnny Mullet]

I always managed to get a torch in there, but of course that's on a nice lift and all at work.

Try a better penetrant like PB Blaster. In my opinion, WD-40 will simply water-proof your rusty bolts

Soak them real good and after an hour, put your socket and extension on it and whack the end of the extension with a hammer to work in the PB. Do this a couple times and you may be surprised! Of course heat is the easiest route.

[shorod]

And on your '96, those bolts are probably metric. Try a metric socket and see which fits with less slop. You don't want to use the wrong socket and "help" the bolt heads round off.

Also, I agree about using Blaster PB. That stuff is great, and I've also had good luck with Rust Eater. I don't even own a can of WD-40 because I've never been impressed with it.

-Rod