5.0 Exhaust Manifold R/R

[RandomNerd2000]

So on my 2000 Explorer 5.0, the passenger side manifold is cracked, and I want to know what the odds are the bolts will come out? Truck has seen a little salt but nothing major, has 257K miles on it, manifold sounds awful and I'm debating if it's even worth it on a quarter million mile 302, input is appreciated.

 

[rathrbcruisin]

I did mine last summer and had 1 bolt break off. I didnt think the job was that bad and was surprised when the bolts came off. I coated them with pb blaster for days before i did this. mine had about 145,000 miles and has always been in MI. I ended up drilling and tapping the bolt that broke. so far so good. Take off the inner fender well and you have quite a bit of room with extensions and wobble extensions. The one that broke off I think I used some threaded rod and made my own stud for that one so it would go into the hole farther. I was going to use something that is like a helicoil for it, time-sert I think? but a buddy with experience on this tapped it out and the stud threaded in pretty good.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I did this on my retired Mounty. Was near 200k and my truck was RUSTY. Every bolt came out, must to my surprise. I broke lots of other hardware working on it prior. I soaked them in blaster prior.

 

[CDW6212R]

Soak them well, try Kano Kroil if you can. I've been using that since last year, I like it better than the normal penetrants. It's about $12 for an 8oz can, without any applicator. I bought an oil squirting can too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F09CF4/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_15?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ADG953YR6NRBF

 

[RandomNerd2000]

Sounds like I've got a decent chance, I use the 50/50 Acetone/Transmission Fluid, I call it a miracle in a can, I'm rebuilding the front end under this truck and every bolt I've coated, put the wrench right on, broke it loose and took it right off.

 

[CDW6212R]

Good luck, me too, I'll get to my exhaust sometime this year. My truck was a NC truck for seven years, and GA before that. Hopefully not many bolts will be trouble.

 

[trevdawg]

never heard of the 50/50 acetone/tranny fluid mix. . . .
I might buy an explorer after all and attack this project. . . it has 200,000 miles on it.