Dear Fellow Brickboarders,

Hope you're well. I just reviewed FAQs prior to replacing failed exhaust manifold gasket (one failed, all will be replaced).

To ease nut removal, after several drenchings with PB Blaster, I wire-brushed the end of each stud, that protrudes past the nut. The reason: the exposed ends of the studs were heavily rusted, after 20 years (141K miles) of service. I used a Dremel and a stainless steel brush.

The stud threads, where covered by the nut, were in good shape - almost rust-free - as were the threads inside the nut.

Once the nuts "cracked free", wire-brushing the stud ends eased nut removal: the nuts did not have to push aside 20 years of corrosion on the exposed stud ends. Easing nut removal cut the risk of shearing a stud.

I will not re-use the nuts and will coat the stud threads with nickel anti-seize.

I appreciate having handy the concentrated "how to" wisdom in the FAQs!!

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook