Broken Exhaust Studs

[Jon87V20]

'87 Chevy Suburban V20

I need some advice on my exhaust situation. While replacing my exhaust system (everything other than the exhaust manifolds), all six of the studs that connect the manifolds to the collectors broke off up inside the stud hole. None of the broken pieces are protruding out at all.

I'm crunched for time as I have to be moved out of my house in a few weeks and money is tighter than it's ever been. I'm trying to figure out how to tackle this.

I've run across a video of a guy who drilled them out and just ran some regular grade 8 bolts through with some lock washers. Would these work as a temporary solution? I'm road tripping this truck for a few weeks until I can get in to my new place so it's not a permanent fix as I plan on just buying some headers when I get settled.

Should I even attempt to try a bolt extractor? At the risk of being ridiculous, I've even considered some mini C-clamps or something. 

Thanks!

[80Chevy4x4]

I have an 1980 K10  with a 350...i had the same thing happen...i drilled it and put a bolt and nut..the problem i had was i had to grind one side of the nut so it would clear the manifold and seat right...and i am still running it 

[VileZambonie]

Weld a nut to the stud and twist it out. If you can't do this, take the manifolds off. You will spend twice as long trying to drill and tap them on your back then to take them off and fix them right.

[philo_beddoe]

I would just plow right through it, high speed drill, quality bit. 6 new holes, 6 new grade 8 bolts/nuts.

If i messed it up bad, i'd pay Vile Z. to bail me out. Lol..

[Jon87V20]

Sorry for the delayed reply/update. I ended up doing just that. I just bought a few cobalt drill bits and blasted through them. Yesterday, I finished up the driver's side. I've been using 3" grade 8 bolts with a lock washer on one side and a flat washer on the other. Seems to be working okay so far.

This truck had the two in to one exhaust with the Y-pipe when I took it out. I was able to find an '86 Suburban at the junkyard that had dual exhaust which is cool. Now that I'm looking at it, I'm a bit concerned about the passenger side because the pipe runs up against the frame rail briefly to clear the transfer case and I noticed that my fuel lines are there. I didn't notice on the donor truck if the fuel lines are in the same position or not.

Is this safe to do this? Did they run the fuel lines a different route on the dual exhaust trucks? Should I wrap that section of the exhaust and is it okay to wait on that for a while?

[philo_beddoe]

VileZambonie can answer that one correctly. Among a few others as well.

[VileZambonie]

The exhaust needs to be safely routed away from the fuel lines. Anytime you modify something you need to be cautious of these things. I just made a shield for one of my trucks to add an additional barrier between the fuel lines and the exhaust. It sounds like either the exhaust is out of position or needs to be modified to be at a safe distance.

[Jon87V20]

Okay. How much clearance do you think I need? Would an inch or so suffice, or do I need a big gap there?