Can't get studs out of oil filter housing
 

99 F150 with 4.6W has the filter housing that passes between engine and motor mount. Halfway into job I can't get the studs out of the filter housing, which means I can't remove the gasket. Studs have tiny 5mm ends, which of course stripped. I want to change the studs and put in bolts. I think there is a stud remover tool. I don't know what size bolts I would need and tomorrow is Sunday, totally stuck. All the videos showed bolts in the housing. Any ideas? I would have to remove power steering pump to get to the studs.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...b4a2490f70.jpg
Photo of housing and studs. Just need tips on removing the studs.

If I'm looking at the photo correctly... That is probably a studded flange bolt. Use a deepwell socket, or double nuts.

The problem is the nut spins but the stud remains stuck in the engine block. It really makes me angry that Ford did this, there is no reason. Why not use bolts like every other Ford filter housing? Why not weld the nut to the stud so the whole thing turns? Why not put larger hex ends so they don't strip? Why run the filter housing UNDER the motor mount? So many design flaws here. It's day two of what should have been a 2 hour job.

Today I will try removing the PS pump and I guess use vice grips on the stud ends or use the double nut method to turn it. If that doesn't work I have to drive an hour into town to buy a stud remover tool. I don't even know if there is enough room to use the stud remover.

Double nuts, lock washer between them, then a boxed end on the inner one???

MKTruck and Serotta, thank you so much, you got me out of a real bind. Box end on inside, double nut, crank them both together tightly, then used a ratchet on outer nut to remove stud. Now I can remove the housing and replace the gasket. I wish I had regular bolts handy to install in place of the studs, there is no reason for them at all. This gasket lasted 280K though so I shouldn't need one again for a while. Buy the factory oem gasket folks, you do not want to do this job twice. And put on a new oem oil sensor.

Glad to hear this went good for you laneman! :thumber:

MKTRUCK is the real brains of the operation, I just detailed his idea a bit.

Glad you got it out!!!!

The job took about 12 hours working outside. Most if the time was lost fighting with the studs. One mistake I made was not having a socket for the oil pressure sensor. There is no room for a crescent wrench. I don't know the size, it's metric about 27mm. You also need a serpentine belt tool.