Header bolts - don't be afraid

[LAP1DOUG]

So, after reading many tales of woe on this and other formus, I was really concerned about trying to remove my header bolts.

I had sprayed them with Liquid Wrench several times over the last couple of weeks while the car is up in the air for Winter project work. I then read about mixing acetone with auto transmission fluid, which is supposed to make a penetrating fluid that is better than anything you can buy at the store according to some test data I found, so I did that too.

The day finally came yesterday, so I heated up the head (not the bolts) with a propane torch, thinking it was better to expand the aluminum than to heat and expand the steel bolts, then I sprayed one more time with acetone/atf.

All 12 bolts came out as smooth silk.:dance:

I don't know if some of my steps were overkill, but I hope this may save someone else another tale of woe. Oh - be carefull of the acetone around hot surfaces, and make sure you don't get anything too hot that has been or will be sprayed with that stuff.