If you heat up the bolts without heating up the heads, the bolts will expand
(get thicker) and probably get tighter. If you can heat up the heads around
the bolt hole without heating up the bolt then the hole should expand
without the bolt expanding, it MIGHT get a bit looser. I would caution
against heating the heads too much in a localized spot, it might be possible
to warp the heads.

You might also try (if you can get at the bolts without burning your hands -
again, at your own risk) running the engine a while to get both the bolts
and heads hot. the aluminum will expand more than the steel of the bolts -
they might be easier to remove. Just don't heat just the bolts, that will
probably do the exact opposite of what you want.

I'm just using suppositions here from a little knowledge of physics, I
haven't tried any of this - so use these ideas at your own risk.

Can you get at the bolt heads with a hammer? Tapping the bolt heads
(straight on) might help loosen the bolts. Don't hit them too hard, if the
heads are aluminum (they probably are)you don't want to damage the threads.
This method I have tried. Have you ever tried to get a stuck lid off a jar?
Banging it on the counter frequently breaks it loose.

Best of luck


"Ropert's Aloha" <removeropertg001@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message
news:5u6Jc.30000$SO5.8453@twister.socal.rr.com...
> I'm trying to get a manifold off a Honda Civic in order to replace the
> clutch. The book calls for removing the exhaust manifold. Off course the
> bolts/nuts are frozen. I have soaked them for a couple days in penetrating
> oil and still no go. Is it possible to heat them up with a torch and have
> them come off easily??? Or will they still probably break off??
>
> thanks in advance
>
> Gary
>
>