So I have a 2000 silverado with the 5.3 in it. Looking to bolt up my headers soon but I have a big oil leak I want to fix first and the other day I noticed that I was a bolt in my exhaust manifold. I'm pretty sure it's broken off in the head. Unfortunatly it's the bolt on the pass side all the way in the back. What's the best way to remove that bolt?

Also my leak is a mystery to me. I thought it was a rear main and it's definatly not. Everything is bone dry in the Bell housing. But the whole lower section of the motor is soaked. I'm wondering if it's the oil pan or front seals. Am I gunna have to take apart the accessories and water pump to see if it's anything up front? Also how can you check to make sure the knock sensor area seals are still good? Towards the front of the motor on the top is all black oily soot build up.

 

The broken bolts are a known problem. I had two on my driver side and one on my passenger side when i did my longtube install. I managed to get them out with a pair of vice grips. Just soak them all down with some PB for a couple days.

As for the oil leak check right abve your oil filter and see of the oil cooler block off is leaking.

 

Yeah that was one of the other things I was thinking about(the oil block off) is that common as well? It just started like all of a sudden.

As for the bolts do they usually break off with a little showing? I was even thinking about maybe mig welding something to the end of the bolt but yeah wasnt 100% sure on that one. what's PB? I was thinking to use penetrating lube for a few days bofore. Don't want any other ones breaking off either. Should I use anti seize hen installing the new header bolts?

 

pb blaster. Spray the crap out of the bolts for a couple days, and let it soak it up.

 

It also makes it alot easier to remove studs while exhaust is hot like right after you park it. Use vice grips, should back right out.

 

I may have to warm it up then right before I remove them all. Leave two in a little or something so that it can cool off. Would that oil cooler block off plate soak the starter motor as well?

 

I fixed two broken bolts on the driver side of my engine.. built the broken bolts up with the mig welder.. then welded a 5/16" bolt to them and they come out. barely

Now i got a broken one on the passenger side

 

Sweet! So it does work! I may have to do that as a last ditch effort. Thanks!