Heads and exhaust manifolds

[nastystephen]

Im going to remove the heads from my 96 XL with a 4.0 engine. My question is will the exhaust manifolds come off with the heads or do I have to remove the exhaust manifolds first. The problem is I have to replace the head gaskets and the exhaust manifold bolts are really in there and I tried to remove two of them and the head of the bolts stripped. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Stephen

 

[kmart]

I don't know if the 96' 4.0L is the same as the 2000 4.0L, but on mine, yes you do need to remove the bolts in the rear of the exhaust manifolds, to remove them so you can take the heads out....I am fighting the same issue with mine - the bolts are so rusted on, breaker bars are no help so far...

 

[rileyrs]

penatrating oil! use tons of it, spray then let it sit for a few hours, and spray more, if you keep workin at it they will come off eventually.

try a pair of vise grips with some sharp teeth if the head of the bolt is too stripped away.