As the title says. What's is the best way to avoid dealing with this again? Currently both front and rear manifold bolts have snapped off on both manifolds.

New manifolds are cheap enough but are headers the better route?

Does someone like ARP offer better bolts for the Ls syndrome?

 

I replaced mine with the ARP 434-1301 exhaust manifold stud kit with new AC Delco gasket. I think this is the best way to deal with the broken bolts.

I'm still saving up for the Dynatech long tube headers with ceramic coating and high flow cat also with Magnaflow performance muffler.

 

Thanks. Did you do the work yourself? I've been researching it and. The bolts arn't broken in the heads. There should be enough to weld a nut on after the manifolds are off. Thing is I only have a 110v mig and a 110 stick welder. Not sure either will get enough penetration to hold the nut on.

Another solution I have found is from Kral auto parts. Sorry don't know how to post links. But it's a bracket that bolts into existing holes and uses a jack bolt toclamp and seal the manifold.

Anyone try the kit from Kral's. I know it's a quick fix. But it looks painless and looks like it would work.

 

citiboy is right,
ARP head and manifold studs are the way to go.
Plus they provide proper clamping force versus stretching the bolt (which is why they break over time)

 

Im switching to 799 heads and doing long tubes.
Got a whole lot of other stuff planned also, but the above fixes the broken bolts.

 

I did the install myself, here's some of the pics.

 

^ thanks for the pics. I've decided to go that route. Going to order them Monday. Hope I get that lucky and can turn the broken bolts with vice grips. Probably going to do plugs,wires and coil packs at the same time.

 

why change coil packs? they either work or they dont. and the truck packs we have are the desirable ones anyway.

 

They are getting crusty. But I guess if they are working, then why mess with them. Thanks

 

There are cars out there making huge power, still using stock truck packs.
If its the heat sink/ bracket rusted and crusty, you can change them out easy and cheaper.