Don't waste your time spraying WD-40, or other silicon spray on those
studs. The silicon is a wonderful product, but not intended to be a rust
buster. I have been using PB Blaster for several years, it is close to
magic, but not a 100% cure. GM also makes a spray rust penetrant that
some on the list tout as being even better. Try soaking for a day,
heating the housing with a propane torch- usual safety precautions, of
course. Then tap a little, lever a little, try a pipe or broomstick in
the neck. You may have to repeat this 2 or 3 times, but it will
eventually come off. On the 2nd go-a-round, try double nutting the studs
& backing them out from the head. If even 1 stud comes out, it will
help. Once off, you may consider removing all the studs, heat &
penetrant so they don't break, replace with stainless, or just
anti-seize the entire mild steel replacement. The anti-seize will seal
at the head as well, so no water leaks, no rust in the future.
Be warned, that the old studs could have rusted to the point that they
are 1/3 smaller in diameter than new, & much weaker. Been there.
Good luck.
Jim Stuart
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