Intake manifold fittings

[All around mj]

Would anybody happen to know how to free up the vacuum fittings in the Intake manifold. I don’t like my current rigged setup.

[Tex06]

I used a little heat on the manifold and some Pblaster on the fitting. Be gentle

[All around mj]

1 hour ago, Tex06 said:

I used a little heat on the manifold and some Pblaster on the fitting. Be gentle

I will give it a shot

[schardein]

I've never had an issue getting them out.  If it's stuck, I'm sure some heat would help.  If you need the fitting in the top photo, I'm sure I have some spares.

[All around mj]

@schardeinyes the fitting in the top photo is what I am needing. If you do have a spare that you would be willing to let go of I surely would appreciate it.

[AZJeff]

The fittings are steel, and the manifold is aluminum.  Apply heat to the manifold, not the fitting.   The manifold will expand faster than the fitting, loosening the grip of the threads.

[All around mj]

I’ve done some recent searching of the webs for extra ideas as well and found that some people have made a home brew release penetrant of 50/50 ATF and acetone, which they claim works better than any store bought product. I’m wondering if I apply heat and put a bit of the concoction on if it will work it’s way into the threads to help with the efforts?

[cruiser54]

Never EVER had an issue. I used to strip all the intake manifolds of fittings before scrapping them. They're tight, in a tapered pipe thread, with sealant on them that's been around since Moby Dick was a minnow.....

[BeatCJ]

9 hours ago, All around mj said:

I’ve done some recent searching of the webs for extra ideas as well and found that some people have made a home brew release penetrant of 50/50 ATF and acetone, which they claim works better than any store bought product. I’m wondering if I apply heat and put a bit of the concoction on if it will work it’s way into the threads to help with the efforts?

Yes it will. It's possible that if you have a problem you may need to cycle it a few times. How are you applying heat? On some things, it may be necessary to use higher heat, maybe as much as oxy-fuel, instead of a straight propane torch.

 

I would guess you have a bi-metallic corrosion issue, that there was no sealant used on the threads, and that's causing your issue.

 

Is your problem with the current fitting, or the OEM unit you want to use?

[phatton]

Acetone is very flammable .  I would not use any open flame around it.

[schardein]

15 hours ago, All around mj said:

@schardeinyes the fitting in the top photo is what I am needing. If you do have a spare that you would be willing to let go of I surely would appreciate it.

PM sent

[All around mj]

I’m going to guess that one of the previous owners of the engine must have removed the fitting a time or two or this one never got anything put on the threads. All other fittings came off of all my other areas, including my renix manifold, well, I haven’t tried the steel one in the same area on the renix I’m afraid of tearing it up since it may be needed by myself or someone else later.

[All around mj]

@BeatCJ

I know all too well about the steel/aluminum cross corrosion. I’ve changed a thermostat where the bolt and housing had become married at the top hole.

[AZJeff]

Heat (and plenty of it) should do the trick quite nicely.   If you want, you can squirt some penetrating oil or acetone/ATF mix and let it sit for a day.

 

Be sure to use a BOX wrench or deepwell socket when turning the fitting, so it distributes the torque force on all six points of the hex.

[cruiser54]

Just use a box end wrench if possible. eat your Wheaties for breakfast.....