trouble removing intake manifold
 

I am having alot of trouble removing the intake manifold from my 3.3 liter engine block.

I removed all the nuts holding it to the 12 vertical head studs and see no other hardware holding it to the block. Yet it is stuck like hell on the 1-3 cylinder side. It seems hung up on cylinder 2 more than anything else, and I have put a tremendous amount of force on it by prying off the throttle linkage bracket against the manifold with a pry bar to avoid cracking the fiberglass shroud.
I dont see anywhere else solid to wedge a pry bar into to put force under the offending studs on number 1 or 2 cyilinder to get it moving.

Looking for ideas on how to get this off......the other side is free on cylinders 4-6. ANYONE HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS?
Gotta admit this is pretty embarassing getting stuck this early into the build.
Fred

Fred:

First get the shroud all the way off and you can get under the intake for better leverage where you may need it. Take a soft hammer and tap sideways on all the long studs and injector blocks. If that doesn't loosen it get out a heat gun or hair dryer heat around the injector blocks and tap them with the hammer. If someone used a cooper inpregnated gasket sealer it can really set up. Heat will usually release it some. As a last resort clean and polish it all up and put a glass top on it. Great coffee table.

Cole

I dont think you can remove the shroud with the manifold on but I will look again. The biggest concern I had was cracking it by putting any load against it with a pry bar.
I will try the heat gun on it, i have been soaking it in pb blaster but thats not working. I have not heard of anyone else having trouble with this item before on the forum, it bothers me so early in the rebuild. Who knows what the previous owner did to seal these possibly.
The glass table idea is not an option for me because now I am on a mission, but it was a funny thought.
Hang loose my friend. Have a good holiday.

Fred

Fred,

Sorry about the shroud, I had an "old" moment !!!!! I have a good set of injector blocks I would send you if you need them. That way if you end up having to destroy the blocks to get the intake off you know your covered.

Cole

Double check all the nuts/bolts/etc have been removed. I've been known to beat my head against a wall trying to remove something, only to find a nut/bolt left in place...

A dead blow hammer tapped on all ends of the manifold at the injector blocks might help as well.

ivwe had this happen a few times...its usually caused by corrosion in the holes in the intake manifold...use some good penetrating oil...aerokroil is best...but it was still quite hard to come off...eventually comes of though just patience

thanks for the advice guys. will be at it again tomorrow all day till this beeeeee-aaaaaaach comes loose.

This was the problem I had. Corrosion on the long bolts.

fredmiester,
Try a little Lime-Away down the stud bores to dissolve the mineral deposit buildup on the studs.

Thanks Cole, I will keep you posted on the status and do appreciate your offer.

Going out there in a few minutes with the heat gun.

My first choice is the penentrating oil over a period of time.

If that dose not work the next method us usally heat. Might try a torch on the top of the manifold. The motor is used to heat just be carfull and do not get carried away.

Just a thought.

Well I got the bi#$% off tonight.
It was hung up on the number 5 cylinder studs. Lots of corrosion on the stud, I guess the magnesium manifold doesn;t play well with the steel studs.
Upon rebuild I will coat the studs with never sieze liberally to prevent this happening in the future.
Now the long job of cleaning and tearing the engine down begins.

I wouldn't recommend that. When everything gets hot the anti-seize will melt and make a mess.