Hi Paul and the rest of the IML gang, I need some expert advise with regard to the exhaust manifold studs of my 1960 Imperial. For 10 days ago I broke the exhaust manifold flange of the left manifold... I noticed a a roadbump too late and was hitting it with too much speed, since the whole exhaust system is pretty rigid the impact was given directly to the cast iron manifold.. With the restult that the flange has broken.. I found myself a reputable cast iron welder that has done the job many times before so with a little luck I will have my manifold back early next week. But now for the real problem: when taking the manifold off two studs were broken.... Despite of several overnight soaking sessions with penetrating oil! The number two stud (counting from the radiator) and the last stud are broken and almost flush with the head. Ofcourse I can try if the 4 remaining studs and bolts will secure the manifold but I simply don't like the idea. On the otherhand, I either don't like the idea of taking the head off. And at least the last stud is very difficult (or not..) accessible with the head in place. So maybe I should aim for the second stud to come out. Both studs are almost flushed with the head surface (slightly below actually). Is there a safe way to get them out? Or should I try to secure the manifold with the 4 remaining nuts and see what happens? If this doesn't work out, how do I remove those broken studs then? And where can I buy new studs for my engine? Ofcourse I can try to drill out the number two studs since I think I can access this one from the left front wheel area (with the left front wheel removed ofcourse). But what if I screw up and the studs doesn't come out, since these studs are in the cooling fluid area it is important that I don't cause any leakage. If I break a drill for e.g. while it is just through the center of the stud (if I am lucky..) and the broken part gets stuck, cooling fluid will escape then!! So should I go for the 4 studs fasting method first? Any words of whisdom?? Thanks, Robert 1960 Imperial Crown ----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com ----------------- This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm