At the moment I am restoring the entire underbody of my 1969 mustang and have come across a few problems. While preping the underbody I have removed the axel, drive shaft, and exhuast. While removeing the nut that attaches the exhuast pipe to the exhaust manifold, I broke one of the bolts off. I was wondering if those bolts are threaded into the manifold or if i should drill them out or just get a new manifold. I am in the process of removeing the leaf springs too. I was able to get the shackle to come off the back of the leaf spring and the get the nut off the bolts on the front of the leaf springs but i am unable to get the bolt to come out of the front of both leaf springs. Does anybody have any suggestions on the two problmes.

Thanks a bunch
Eric


PS The mustang is a 1969 with a straight 6 250 cid engine in it. The leaf springs are standard original 4 leaf springs.

PSS. Should i replace the original leaf springs or just use the old ones

Thanks again

 

Mine were stuck in the fronts too. We just took a torch to the rubber, and it came right out. Made a bit of a stink, but it was quick and took very little physical effort.... Make sure you have a bucket or discardable material for the rubber to drip on... maybe a fire extinguisher nearby as well....

 

for the broken exhaust stud, they are threaded in. Any machine shop should be able to get it out without ruining the manifold. If you're going to get headers then dont' worry about it.

As for the Leaf Springs, a torch will help. I would get your existing springs redone or buy replacements depending on the age/sag level. A good spring shop should be able to tell you how much life your springs have and if they will hold a retensioning.

 

i ended up having to cut the darn leaf springs off. I guess that i will be replacing them then. Owell. I found a good deal on ebay for a set so i guess that i will get those. Thanks guys

 

There are a number of ways to cut off the front bolts on the rear leaf springs. I used a reciprocating saw. No smoke, no stink, no fire.