Removing turbo from exhaust manifold

[shelby1962]

I was clearing all the pieces out of the way to remove the turbo from the manifold and got a good look at how it's put on. Was this some cruel joke from a disgruntled engineer at Ford? Three of the bolts I can only get a open end wrench on, which I know will round off immediately If I try that approach. The fourth one - top front - is even worse with the water line fitting right in front of it. Any better approach to this? Can I heat the bolts with the torch without hurting the turbo?

[Pat_in_L.A.]

Bolts? They are originally studs and nuts. Most of us find it easier to remove the exhaust manifold with turbo attached and then remove the turbo from the manifold on the bench. So just disconnect the water line and let it droop down if it's in the way. Is it the original 84 water line, or is it a water cooled turbo now?.

[shelby1962]

It has nuts on studs and it is now water cooled. The cooler line will probably bust when I try to remove it. Looks like it did not seal good at the threads and is all corroded.

[Pat_in_L.A.]

It has nuts on studs and it is now water cooled. The cooler line will probably bust when I try to remove it. Looks like it did not seal good at the threads and is all corroded.

Eric at Forced4 has a replacement water line made out of stainless. You can probably get a replacement from him within a day or two. Go ahead and take a flare nut wrench to it.

[GAboySVO]

Mkae sure you use two wrenchs when removing the waterline or you'll twist it up. If you remove the water line fitting into the ceter section then you could use a wrench on the two top nuts.

Underneath, you will need to remove the oil drain tube and be careful not to screw it up if it is original. You will need to remove the DP and starter to make life easier. You can get socket on the front lower nut, but you will need to make a special wrench to get at the rear one. I modified my turbo support bracket once it was off the car to allow a boxed end wrench to fit.

Bottom line, you can remove it without taking off the exhaust manifold, but it is a royal pain to do so.

[shelby1962]

It can be a wee bit more work, but if you take the outlet elbow (hot side to down pipe) off and then remove the CHRA from the turbine housing, you can easily get a socket onto all four nuts.

CHRA ?

How much of the turbo can be disassembled without causing a problem?
Can I use a torch to get the 4 bolts red hot without damaging the turbo?

[schlot]

I had the same question about the elbow....I snapped one bolt trying it after using liquid wrench....so I'm assuming a little heat is the key?

[Bruce]

Mike I beleive I asked you for that a while back? That would be another great STICKY for all who have no experiance as I didn't before the last three times I had it off!

[Pat_in_L.A.]

... for all who have no experiance as I didn't before the last three times I had it off!

I'm trying to comprehend this.

[skota8336]

This type of wrench is very very helpful when removing the turbo to manifold nuts, It will grab the nut where most open ended wrenches wont. Of course this is if the nuts are not seized on there from 20 years of heat and rust. Once you reassemble with anti seize this wrench will be all you need the next time it has to come off which we all know is far too often!

[Bruce]

Yeah after three times I think I get the jist of it! Or was it four, or? The offset open end makes it easyer but now I just take the manifold off with the turbo on it yet! Much better way to go!

[juscuz]

If I have a stubborn turbo nut I usually use an air hammer to carefully split the nut. Then just go buy new nuts.

Also if you do manage to get your turbine elbow off without breaking any bolts,
Replace them with studs and use hi temp antiseize.