Loose exhaust Manifold bolts

[87Chief]

So.. I went to take my exhaust manifold off and the bolts in the front, were very loose. I hardly turned them and they came apart. What would that mean? I'm thinking about taking the whole engine apart and seeing if it is warped.

 

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[hick92]

i would think that it might be the heating and cooling of the motor and maybe the vibrations might have all worked together and helped them make their way out

 

but hey this is just my theory so don't trust it untell some others verify it

[JeffN]

They all work loose, both my trucks did. It's just years of expansion and contraction

[jimoshel]

They either stay put, work loose or freeze-rust and you twist the head off trying to remove them. Consider yourself lucky, clean the hole out good, use anti-seize on the threads and screw 'em back in.

[airspeed]

Be sure to use the heavy conical washers under the bolt heads, they help with the constant expansion and contraction of the dissimilar metals, aluminum manifold and steel header. Don't over torque them.