Thermostat Bolts

[nascar24jd]

1993 Firebird

The thermostat bolts are very tight. I sprayed the bolts with WD-40 days ago and tried to loosen the bolts today, they will not budge. I am afraid if I pull any harder I will snap it off. Any tips? Will they loosen up easier if the engine is hot or cold? Is the bolt and the manifold different metals that could have an issue?

Help please, I dont want to snap the head off the bolts. Thanks...

[bluovlh8er]

Re: Thermostat Bolts

maybe get a heat gun (1000) degree and get that sucker hot. use air tools maybe too.

[slow6]

Re: Thermostat Bolts

PB Blaster or the like?

[Vanquish]

Re: Thermostat Bolts

Make sure that you are loosening them and not tightening them. It's not always left loosy, righty tighty on cars, because some of them are put on from underneath the car and they are assebled upside down (so to say) so it may loosen by going to the right with a ratchet instead of the left.

[nascar24jd]

Re: Thermostat Bolts

Make sure that you are loosening them and not tightening them. It's not always left loosy, righty tighty on cars, because some of them are put on from underneath the car and they are assebled upside down (so to say) so it may loosen by going to the right with a ratchet instead of the left.

Good point, but these are on top, and counterclockwise is the way to go. I have changed many thermostats and such in the past and these bolts will not budge. I really feel like if I apply any more force they will snap. So, wisely I have stopped trying until I find another way. My concern is...

Is this a steel bolt going into an aluminum manifold, or is it a steel bolt going into a steel manifold???

[Chevy16]

Re: Thermostat Bolts

try using a breaker bar and if the bolt breaks i went to ace hardware and got some bits that are used to remove broken bolts ill let you know how they work in the next week or soo cuz i have to get 2 exhaust manifold bolts out of one of my heads