Well, I propane torched the lower RIGHT heat shield bolt boss on the exhaust manifold and SLOWLY it turned out without breaking. Never screeched but felt exactly like the bolt was twisting/tearing in half but it didn't and came out intact.
Whew!
But I'm still not in the clear. The lower LEFT heat shield nut that came off isn't the whole story. There's also a threaded stud that screws into the manifold that also has to come off to remove the heat shield.
Curses!
Of course I don't have a 13mm deep socket in my toolbox and the local hardware store doesn't have it either (very rural district), so it looks like another online order to AutoZone.
Funny, but AZ doesn't seem to have 3/8" drive sockets, but 1/2" drive should be okay.
Maybe I'll look at my spark plugs and wires and see if they need changing too. Seems like in the records that came with this car it was lots of miles since they were last changed and it does idle poorly.
Anyone know if the "DoubleSilicone" brand ignition wires are okay? They are $30. Not the lowest buck which are $20, nor the highest which are $36 (Bosch).
I do feel better after getting that one bolt out without breaking it.
Thanks!
