i was told this was a common issue so i soaked my manifold bolts everyday for a week and they all came out like butter but it sucks to hear this happen to you

 

You're lucky Josh, I've seen headers leak that were perfectly torqued, with clean surfaces and new gaskets...and all bolts installed. Granted the GM steel gaskets are forgiving, but loose or missing hardware on the header flange usually isn't...

 

Soaking it wont do anything. The bolts are already snapped off before you even touch them.

 

i did not know that i just heard they break off really easy when you try to take them out but i guess i just got lucky on mine

 

I think it's just completely dependent on how many hot/cold cycles the bolt has gone thru (i.e. the age/mileage)

 

I think that is a good guess by far... Brand new trucks have had them break, along with old ones. It is the nature of the beast in this case.. Some will some won't...

 

is there a better bolt/stud that would help this ?

 

oh ok then i guess i got really lucky 2004 with 88k on them

 

mine did it too

i said screw it and put the headers on anyways

BTW, PB blaster is your friend

 

Yah the trick is lock washers with anti seize. The main reason it does this is the difference in the metals, aluminum is extremely corrosive..