Hi,

Anyone know how the factory manifold heat shields are removed and reinstalled?

I'm going to be removing the manifolds in a few days and have them blasted and ceramic coated once I get them out.

Thanks,
-Eric

 

I got the factory Y-pipe removed and then the manifolds. 3 out of the 6 collector flange studs broke and will need to be drilled out and all new hardware installed.

I worked on them with PB Blaster, heat etc, but can't get them out. Where can I have this service work performed?

I also have to remove the aluminum heat shields before I get them blasted/ceramic coated. The heat shields look like they had a special press in some areas and some type of rivet in other areas. I'm wondering how to reinstall them, if at all.

Fortunately none of the manifold bolts to the heads broke, and only one on the passenger side was kinda loose. I need to find appropriate ARP bolts to replace them, as only one stud is actually used for the alternator bracket.


Manifolds bolts/studs



Outboard view

Inboard view

As soon as I get this work performed I can reinstall everything with new hardware, gaskets, o2 sensors and correct my massive rich condition with the FTs.

Any advice is welcome,
-Eric

 

Gonna have to get a local machine shop get the studs out. The heat shields are held on by drive rivets. Drill them out, then I can reinstall them with new SS drive rivets using a hammer.

Have new manifold ARP manifold bolts coming ⅜ x 16 x 1" for the inboard holes, and 1.5" for the spacers on the outboard holes.

 

Would a Dremel and a cut off wheel work?

 

Yeah for the rivets on the heat shields. I've got one and a drill. The studs broken off and ones still installed in the flanges are another story. I can't get them out.

 

I was focused on the heat shields and promptly forgot about the studs. Unless you had a press, I probably wouldn't mess with that either.

 

They're threaded in studs, I been soaking, heating, light hammering, and haven't been able to get them out yet. A machine shop will have to do it. That's the hard part.

I have new studs/nuts. I'll drill out the heat shields once I get those studs out. A few of them broke off in the flanges.

 

I am batting 1000 and really showing off my deep knowledge of stock manifolds....

It sounds like you are well on your way. Another thing to look out for while you have the heat shields off are cracks. I recall reading about leak issues going back to the manifolds. Since you will have it all apart and all...

 

I haven't seen any yet. I'll inspect them closer today. Also when I get them blasted, I'll look them over before getting them coated. Only reason I'm not going with headers is cause it's a 1LE. I figured I'd clean them up and coat them while fixing my fuel rich condition because of the manifold leaks while I'm at it.

 

I fought these things for quite awhile and decided to take them to the muffler shop. $50 bucks and dude had broken studs out in less than 30 minutes. Makes a helluva difference with a torch and vise to hold them. Money well spent.

Now I'm going to center-punch and drill out the drive rivets holding the heat shields on, and take them to get resurfaced. After that, it's sandblasting, ceramic coating, and reinstall of the heat shields. If I notice any burrs, I'll dress them up with a soft wire wheel/dremel.

I'll be happy to get these things back on the car and run for awhile to see what happens with my fuel trims.

 

Just picked up the manifolds from being resurfaced. No cracks, but had to be trued up from warpage, being on the vehicle 26 years. Dropped them off to be sandblasted and ceramic coated with a cast color.

Not looking forward to reinstalling the heat shields lol. I still have to order a few sizes of stainless drive rivets, and some pop rivets. Cleaning up the holes I may have to go up a size when hammering in the new rivets.

What a process lol, and I haven't even got to reinstalling them. When it warms up for a spell I just ordered Ac Delco plug wires and AC Delco double platinum plugs (all OEM) to R&R while the manifolds are out.

 

Yeah, the manifolds were not fun to work with. Good luck and I look forward to some pics!

 

Just got them back from being blasted and ceramic coated. I dropped the heatshields off with them when I picked up these to have them blasted in prep for welding and blending they need in a few areas. Once that's done it'll be final assembly and reinstall.

 

Lookin' damned good!

 

Thanks man, I'm pleased with the work I've outsourced. It's nice to work on this thing at my own pace now than when I was a kid in my 20s and it was my daily driver lol.