The mechanic used a diamond tipped hollow core drill, several, to drill out the old stud in the buggered up hole and then used a threaded insert. He tried to remove a few of the old studs but the torque came close to breaking and stopped. Needless to say, I did not care to pay for extra labor of repairing more broken studs. He gave me the core, the remaining stud which was not much larger than 1/8" with with someone's 1/8" broken off drill bit all the way through.

I never heard of this hollow core diamond tipped drill bit and a little Google research found these for oil well drilling (maybe a little too big), stone cutting?, glass and counter top drilling, meaning quartz or granite. Nothing specific for manifold stud drilling. I'll have to get the vendor, a local parts supplier I think.

A tow truck dropped off a car at the shop as I was about to leave and after a quick discussion towed my car a few miles back home at a reasonable cost. The driver did everything right, lifting by the rear tires (no drive on please) and even got it up hill in my driveway. Tow, $45 cash in the pocket. Up hill in the shady side of the driveway with the front of the car facing the garage, priceless.

BTW, the rope tow to the garage was flawless. These cars are heavy. My son in the back car knew to stop me at a stop signs although we ran a few, and the only stop light, that had to be red.

Tom