Dear Steve,

Hope you're well. Job 98% done (I await from Volvo, three more manifold nuts)..

The manifold nuts are shiny black, not copper-colored. I used a small jack to support the exhaust system, once I removed the two, 18mm bolts, that secure the system bracket to the transmission housing.

I used a screw-driver to separate the manifold from the head. To avoid damaging the head's manifold sealing surfaces, I inserted the tip to the screwdriver at the top end of the gasket, near the stud. With the jack supporting the exhaust system, it did not take much prying to free the manifold from the head.

I used a 320-grit sandpaper to clean the manifold surfaces of gasket debris, etc.

All-in-all, the job went smoothly: no studs snapped, thread corrosion was minimal, and exhaust bracket bolts came out easily.

Once I get remaining manifold nuts, I'll torque to spec: 25 newtonMeters = 18 pound/feet.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

Muy Estimado Don Esteban,

Hope you're well. The beeswax option is in the FAQs. I did not see any guidance as to cleaning the stud ends, to ease nut removal. The nuts are lock-nuts, so fit the stud very tightly. Removing the corrosion at the stud ends will ease the flow of beeswax or PB Blaster (or other penetrating oil).

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook