Changing Exhaust Manifold: Question About Gaskets & Removing Studs

[lm71z]

Soon I'm planning to change the exhaust manifold & replace the exhaust manifold/intake manifold gasket. I also need to replace some of the studs that come out of the head because some are too short, which I think has caused my intake manifold to leak slightly.

1st Question: How should I remove the existing studs from the head? I'm worried about breaking them off by not removing them correctly.

2nd Question: Should I use a factory Nissan intake manifold/exhaust manifold gasket? Or is there a better one i should buy?

Edited June 28, 2012 by lm71z

[LeonV]

I get new intake/exhaust stud kits from MSA, they're a bit over $20 shipped.

1. Remove the old studs after applying copious amount of rust penetrant and heat, if necessary.

Use the "double-nut" method to remove, thread two nuts onto the stud, tighten them against one another, put a wrench on the one closest to head and untwist.

2. I used Felpro for the intake/exhaust gasket.

Make sure all mating surfaces are clean and flat when re-installing!

[280~Master]

I would be prepared to break at least 1 if not 2. Usally 1 or 6 is all ready broken. Becareful if 6 is not broken remove it with care. Very tight fit to get a drill in that area.

Like leon said buy the MSA kit along with a bolt extraction setup.

If your lucky you can take the extraction setup back.

A nice propane torch works great. to heat things up.

I have used the nissan gasket and the felpro gasket and both are great gaskets. I would buy the cheapest one of the two.

Good luck,

John

[LeonV]

I've never had a stud break, but patience is necessary. Heat helps a bunch as well. Go slowly, and if the stud doesn't budge then don't force it. That just means you need more rust penetrant and/or heat. Once it's loose, twist it out and if it gets tight then turn it back in a bit (like tapping a hole), and then back out. Rinse and repeat.

[jfa.series1]

I damaged the visible threads on a stud in the re-assembly process and a pro showed me a good trick to help break loose the damaged stud: he gave it a couple of good whacks with a hammer to break it loose internally before attempting to unscrew it. It came right out!

Jim

[grantf]

Did mine one year ago, no broken studs. I soaked all of them with BP blaster for 24 hours and took my time. One thing that was scary was that after firing up the engine after the job was done, light blue smoke pored out of the engine bay. Not to worry though it was just the bp blaster burning off of the exhaust and it stopped after about 5 minutes. I second the new stud kit, peice of mind to have them if you do brake any. don't forget to get a new manifold to exhaust gasket. Edit: I see you already remembered the smaller gasket.

Edited June 29, 2012 by grantf