What a nightmare! Exhaust manifold swap on the 07

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08T1

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I was thinking using a pipe wrench to help twist the studs out. Along with what your saying..... lots of WD40 or PB blaster.

CJ
 
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gixer2000

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I was thinking using a pipe wrench to help twist the studs out. Along with what your saying..... lots of WD40 or PB blaster.

CJ
I'd go with vice grips before I'd use a pipe wrench. Also use Kroil (aerokroil is the aerosol version)as a penetrating oil. Pb doesn't creep very good imo and wd40 is for water displacement and cleaning

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jeff kushner

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I've found that in general terms....any mechanic that knows what Kroil is, and that he needs to begin spraying a month or more ahead of time, has more then an average clue....so I'm not going to second guess but I will suggest that after viewing the Ford 5.4 & the 3.5...both appear to be "designed" to be worked on with the body removed. Get that intrusive body out of the way and it's all pretty clear pathways other than the suspension components...

Years ago with my first of my Expys, I remember reading in the manual about lifting the body off the frame to remove the spark plugs...well, for #8 I think.....that told me volumes! I thought, WTF? Ford is nuts....and I was correct....GM uses the public as guinea pigs and Ford doesn't "engineer" with anything but thee most basic maintenance in mind!

You guys know the drill.....First time, I paid 500 bucks to have it done...second time (next Expy) it took 3 different extensions, 2 universals and lots of flesh.....and 97 minutes......lesson learned. Jeff sticks to bikes! LOL

Good for you Gix getting as far as you have.....

jeff
 
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gixer2000

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I've found that in general terms....any mechanic that knows what Kroil is, and that he needs to begin spraying a month or more ahead of time, has more then an average clue....so I'm not going to second guess but I will suggest that after viewing the Ford 5.4 & the 3.5...both appear to be "designed" to be worked on with the body removed. Get that intrusive body out of the way and it's all pretty clear pathways other than the suspension components...

Years ago with my first of my Expys, I remember reading in the manual about lifting the body off the frame to remove the spark plugs...well, for #8 I think.....that told me volumes! I thought, WTF? Ford is nuts....and I was correct....GM uses the public as guinea pigs and Ford doesn't "engineer" with anything but thee most basic maintenance in mind!

You guys know the drill.....First time, I paid 500 bucks to have it done...second time (next Expy) it took 3 different extensions, 2 universals and lots of flesh.....and 97 minutes......lesson learned. Jeff sticks to bikes! LOL

Good for you Gix getting as far as you have.....

jeff
Yeah man I use Kroil all the time at work considering most hvac equipment is exposed to the elements and its great stuff. I was probably a little excessive with how much and how long I sprayed them down because Kroil creeps very well and pretty quick. I just wasn't taking any chances.

As for the body, I didn't feel for this job the body was really in my way and more the shock tower and frame. However I do agree that for a good portion of engine work body off would make it so much easier

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rjdelp7

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My mechanic cut manifold bolts(not sure torch or cut off wheel, maybe both?). When the manifold comes off, the studs are sticking out of head. He said, he uses a vise grip to remove them. The bolts are usually to rusted to wrench on. Problems like these, make me want my next car, not a Ford.
 

Trainmaster

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I recently did this job on my 2000. One of those rotating-stud-removers that bind against the stud and turn with a socket walked the studs right out after getting the nuts off. I think there was only one that couldn't be reached with it. After breaking the first one, I was able to finish up with a Chinese "Advance Auto" piece of junk. But it did the job...
 

Bstew73

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I had three studs broken off and took it to my local repair shop. They replaced two of them with standard bolts and left the third one that was behind the shock tower. He said they just tightened it down real good. Huh, didn't ask about that one. Paid the shop over $600 and was on my way. Two weeks later , the exhaust leak was back. The shop would not stand behind the repair. I ended up taking mine to the Ford dealership (which is where I should have gone in the first place). They had to separate the body from the frame and lift the body up to get to the manifold. I now have everything repaired to Ford specs and she purrs like a kitten. It did cost $1600 though.
 

jeff kushner

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Yes Bstew...you did the obvious choice....the second time around when you went to the dealer but often, a dealer may not stand behind a repair to the same degree that you believe they should...then you're really screwed, both on price and warranty but at least you don't have to worry about this: "He said they just tightened it down real good. Huh, didn't ask about that one." The dealer generally won't do hack work because they are on your dime....they will do it right, even if it takes them all dayyyyy.

jeff
 

rjdelp7

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I had three studs broken off and took it to my local repair shop. They replaced two of them with standard bolts and left the third one that was behind the shock tower. He said they just tightened it down real good. Huh, didn't ask about that one. Paid the shop over $600 and was on my way. Two weeks later , the exhaust leak was back. The shop would not stand behind the repair. I ended up taking mine to the Ford dealership (which is where I should have gone in the first place). They had to separate the body from the frame and lift the body up to get to the manifold. I now have everything repaired to Ford specs and she purrs like a kitten. It did cost $1600 though.
I paid 1/3 that. The body does not have come off frame. They pull the wheel and inner fender. They unbolt exhaust and cut bolts on manifold. Pretty straightforward job, that shops are familiar with. The only wild card, was a stud broken off in head. A stud extractor must be used and it is time consuming. Mine had three broken studs. The mechanic used vise grips, on chunks sticking out of head. They still dinged me $50 extra (25 min labor?) , but I was expecting to pay more.
 

Adieu

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If you guys are struggling with corroded stuff you cant wrench off....have you tried the blowtorch and candlewax approach??
 
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