Iam doing a header swap on my 94 Z28 and i've got the driver side manifold off, an every bolt to the passenger side but one. Its the last one, closest to the firewall. Problem is i think i've might have stripped the bolt abit, an ive been having a great deal of problems trying to get it off.

Anyone with experience, help or some opinions would be great!

 

If I remember correctly its been awhile since I did mine, but I'm pretty sure I had to get that bolt from underneath the car with a wrench not a socket, and i could only get like literally less than a 1/4 turn everytime took like 30 min. to get it out. Good luck

 

As replied in LS1Tech, either knock a smaller socket on it, or you will
probably have to (if it were me) grind the head off the bolt, remove
the header, then remove the "stud" left behind.

Sears also has some "special" wrenches to deal with stripped heads
on bolts, but accessibility will be a concern here.

 

Yeah, if none of these things do it? what are my options?

 

I already mentioned it - grind the head off the bolt and the header
flange will slide right off - then remove the "stud". Not sure which
headers you're removing, but a "dremel" tool with a steel bit will be
the best candidate for grinding the bolt's head off.

 

Iam not removing headers. Iam removing factory manifolds. Iam not to sure i could fit a dremel in there.

 

Oops - sorry, when I read "header swap", I assumed current headers
were being swapped for new ones.

If you havent already, remove the stock y-pipe. That will give you
the room from underneath to get at that bolt. Dont forget to remove
the starter. You might want to blast the bolt with some PB-Blaster
and let it soak.

 

You'll probably have a hard time hammering another socket on there with the space confines. There are special sockets on the market that deal specifically with rounded bolts.

 

I wouldnt say its "rounded". I think its got an edge on it or something because the socket wont go on the whole way.

 

Try another socket then, just make sure it doesn't have alot of slop, otherwise, you will damage the bolt head more. As mentioned above, blast that bolt with PB Blaster and let it soak, that should help to make it come out easier.

 

And if you're using a 6-point socket, you might try a 12-point,
so that you can get *some* bite. Like I said, Sears sells some
tools to loosen a rounded nut (if you have one in your area).

 

Yeah i got one just down the street from me. I guess im going to have to go look at them.