Rounded Manifold Bolt...

Rather than a post for help, this is a success story that may help someone else some time.

I'll try to keep this short:
Removing the stock manifold on driver's side
All bolts were soaked repeatedly with PB Blaster
Removing the front side bolt of #7 cylinder, I rounded the bolt head because the socket wouldn't go on right to begin with. This one sits right in front of the steering column shaft so it's hard to get a socket on it and still have any leverage to break it loose. After screwing around for a half day or so, I pulled the steering column (took about a half hour - 45 minutes).
Pounded (or tapped with a small hammer since there is hardly any room) a cheapo 13mm deep well socket. (the bolt size is 9/16" to begin with).
Torqued on it a little, then re-tapped, torqued again, then re-tapped, and again.
I was then able to get a 1/2" drive 13mm impact socket on it with a breaker bar, and it finally broke free. I finished off with a 1/2" drive hand ratchet.
I was 'this' close to pulling the head. :eek:

Hence my motto when it comes to f-bodies ... patience, persistence, and a decent set of tools!

Bolt-out sets, for removing damaged bolts/nuts can be a real life saver at times.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952061000P?mv=rr

Good to hear that you had success with a socket. :thumb:

good to know you didnt have to pull the head. I have had to hammer a few 6 point metric sockets on bolts before.

and I prefer Kroil over PB blaster

Bolt-out sets, for removing damaged bolts/nuts can be a real life saver at times.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952061000P?mv=rr

Good to hear that you had success with a socket. :thumb:

Yes worth their weight in gold :D

Yeah, I have a bolt-out set also but it was a tight spot where the bolt-out wouldn't fit in there.

and I prefer Kroil over PB blaster

I have a couple of cans of Kroil also but have to get it via mail so I keep them only for very special occasions. lol

I had a similar problem with mine; bolt-outs wouldn't fit... I spent a couple hours under the car with a long screwdriver and hammer... tap tap tap tap tap tap. Fun city.

I had a similar problem with mine; bolt-outs wouldn't fit... I spent a couple hours under the car with a long screwdriver and hammer... tap tap tap tap tap tap. Fun city.

Holy crap... I couldn't even begin to imagine how I would have got it off that way. Did it work?

Yeah it worked. The bolt wasn't too pretty when I got it out, but I got it.