Pulling Heads for Exhaust

[Wags391]

I have a 92 S10 Blazer, TBI, 4x4, 4.3L. I need to replace the exhaust down pipe gaskets and of course the bolts broke in the exhaust manifold. So it's possible that the heads may need removing if the manifold bolts break off when trying to remove them.

I just read BlackBlazOn's 'How-To' for replacing head gaskets, since I may have to pull my heads for this exhaust manifold work. My experience goes as far down as pulling the intake manifold and valve covers. After that, is it just pulling the rocker arms and head bolts? If I could remove the heads myself then take them to the shop for drilling and refinishing, that would save me a lot of money. I have all the tools necessary and a shop manual for specs/torch. What is your advice? Are pulling heads as scary as it seems? Could I just leave the exhaust manifolds on the heads and remove them as one piece from each side?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by Wags391

I have a 92 S10 Blazer, TBI, 4x4, 4.3L. I need to replace the exhaust down pipe gaskets and of course the bolts broke in the exhaust manifold. So it's possible that the heads may need removing if the manifold bolts break off when trying to remove them.

I just read BlackBlazOn's 'How-To' for replacing head gaskets, since I may have to pull my heads for this exhaust manifold work. My experience goes as far down as pulling the intake manifold and valve covers. After that, is it just pulling the rocker arms and head bolts? If I could remove the heads myself then take them to the shop for drilling and refinishing, that would save me a lot of money. I have all the tools necessary and a shop manual for specs/torch. What is your advice? Are pulling heads as scary as it seems? Could I just leave the exhaust manifolds on the heads and remove them as one piece from each side?

What have you done?
Broke exhaust pipe bolts or manifold to head bolts.
The exhaust pipe bolts can be drilled and tapper with removing heads.
If you are not experienced with drilling and taping take it to a good muffler exhaust shop.
They have to deal with it all of the time.
Let us know how it goes.

[djd99]

Originally Posted by Wags391

I have a 92 S10 Blazer, TBI, 4x4, 4.3L. I need to replace the exhaust down pipe gaskets and of course the bolts broke in the exhaust manifold. So it's possible that the heads may need removing if the manifold bolts break off when trying to remove them.

I just read BlackBlazOn's 'How-To' for replacing head gaskets, since I may have to pull my heads for this exhaust manifold work. My experience goes as far down as pulling the intake manifold and valve covers. After that, is it just pulling the rocker arms and head bolts? If I could remove the heads myself then take them to the shop for drilling and refinishing, that would save me a lot of money. I have all the tools necessary and a shop manual for specs/torch. What is your advice? Are pulling heads as scary as it seems? Could I just leave the exhaust manifolds on the heads and remove them as one piece from each side?

It sounds like you want to replace your exhaust donuts? These bolts commonly break. If I were you I would take it to a exhaust shop and have them replace the studs. That's way easier than taking your exhaust manifolds off to do it. if you have to take your head off to have the machine shop retap a broken bolt in a head You have that expense and all the gaskets you need for the top half of the motor not including your labor what's that worth. I think it would be cheaper at the exhaust shop. JMO

[Wags391]

I've broken some of the donut bolts already and I took it to a shop today and they say they would need to remove the exhaust manifolds in order to drill out the broken pieces. That, of course, may lead to breaking a manifold bolt in the head. That's where I'm at right now. Should I attempt to remove the exhaust manifolds myself, or should they be able to remove the broken bolts without removing the manifolds?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by Wags391

I've broken some of the donut bolts already and I took it to a shop today and they say they would need to remove the exhaust manifolds in order to drill out the broken pieces. That, of course, may lead to breaking a manifold bolt in the head. That's where I'm at right now. Should I attempt to remove the exhaust manifolds myself, or should they be able to remove the broken bolts without removing the manifolds?

Try to or find a muffler shop that will drill out the exhaust pipe bolts.
Removing the exhaust manifold may get you in the hot water deeper.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[b1lk1]

I've pulled off dozens of heads off old/new vehicles and have yet to need to remove the heads due to a broken bolt. If anything they sometimes rust into the manifold and when you snap off the head there is enough left to clamp on a pair of vicegrips to and turn out.

[Wags391]

What if there isn't anything to grab onto? I'll have to drill, eh? What is a good way to get a nut off of a bolt as to remove it from the flange?

[ken_man_1]

If you have to remove the head because of a broken exhaust manifold bolt, I wouldn't worry that much about breaking a head bolt. I can't say that I've ever heard anyone that I know breaking a head bolt. You could technically remove the head with the manifold on.

[b1lk1]

1. You will not need to remove the head.
2. If you cannot get a drill up by the flange to drill out the broken bolt then you will need to pull the manifold.
3. If it is stripped already then cut it off with a torch..

This is a job best left to a good exhaust mechanic since they will have the tools and experience to make it a rather simple job. It is worth spending the money since they will get it done in an hour or 2 using a lift where someone on the ground using jacks/jack stands will need most of the day.

[djd99]

Originally Posted by Wags391

I've broken some of the donut bolts already and I took it to a shop today and they say they would need to remove the exhaust manifolds in order to drill out the broken pieces. That, of course, may lead to breaking a manifold bolt in the head. That's where I'm at right now. Should I attempt to remove the exhaust manifolds myself, or should they be able to remove the broken bolts without removing the manifolds?

most likely the manifold bolts will not break, I wouldn't worry about that, did u break the donut studs off on both manifolds? Usually u have to heat up these bolts before trying to take them out or they'll break off. I had to remove my entire exhaust system to take my tranny out and my truck with 80,000 miles had to be heated and they came right out.

[ken_man_1]

Originally Posted by b1lk1

This is a job best left to a good exhaust mechanic since they will have the tools and experience to make it a rather simple job. It is worth spending the money since they will get it done in an hour or 2 using a lift where someone on the ground using jacks/jack stands will need most of the day.

We're here to help the guy who wants to do it himself. If we sent everything to the shop then why are we here on this forum? We wouldn't need a forum if it all went to the shop

[djd99]

Originally Posted by ken_man_1

We're here to help the guy who wants to do it himself. If we sent everything to the shop then why are we here on this forum? We wouldn't need a forum if it all went to the shop

So very true, BUT there are some things that are better to hire out, like jobs that require a lift. By the time you spend a hole day fixing the broken bolts, a exhaust shop can have it done in a hour or 2. Some times u have to consider this, i like to do my own work myself but I have a lift and trust me it makes a difference.

[ken_man_1]

Originally Posted by djd99

So very true, BUT there are some things that are better to hire out, like jobs that require a lift. By the time you spend a hole day fixing the broken bolts, a exhaust shop can have it done in a hour or 2. Some times u have to consider this, i like to do my own work myself but I have a lift and trust me it makes a difference.

I will agree with you on the lift portion. However, 2 hours vs all day - if you have the whole day free to work on the truck, then why pay someone to do it?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by ken_man_1

We're here to help the guy who wants to do it himself. If we sent everything to the shop then why are we here on this forum? We wouldn't need a forum if it all went to the shop

We are here to give good advice also not just how to DIY it.
When someone is taking a chance of making a mess out of it or does not have the experiance and know how and proper tools to do the job right I would consider sending it out good repair advise.

[Wags391]

I agree with all of you! Ha. I do love working on my own truck, but sometimes, especially when in school, it's best to take it out. I have the tools, but crawling around on the ground with a torch, drill, flashlight, etc. just doesn't sound fun right now. I'm going to go by the Midas tomorrow and hopefully it'll work out easy enough. I would like to, in the future, replace my head gaskets as a preventive maintenance measure. I don't think they've ever been replaced and I loose a bit of oil and coolant over time. i figure do it now before I have to stop on the side of the road. Are the rocker arms on the 92s just bolt-on?