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Hi,
I have torches available, but I've taken off several gnarly exhaust manifolds using a variation of Kitty's hammering technique. I try to avoid using heat unless absolutely necessary because if the studs are grade 5 or higher, they are heat treated and will lose some strength.
I don't advise using a center punch, but instead use a small, sharp, cold chisel. For this type of work I usually grind or forge the tip of the chisel to about 30 degrees from the normal 60 degrees, then harden and temper, but you should be able to work with a stock chisel. A thinner chisel cuts faster, is all. Wear safety glasses.
Cut into the nut at 2 opposing points on the face of it. This means the chisel will be moving parallel to the stud, toward the head. DO NOT cut into the side of the nuts, as this will bend the stud. If you can't access opposing points, cut at any points you can reach. The cutting will cause the nut to expand, the oil to penetrate, and eventually loosen either the nut or the stud from the head.
This works every time, unless you run out of patience. I've never damaged, or had to replace a stud with this technique, but I do use all new copper nuts. This also works well on thermostat housings with their delicate studs.
Good luck,
Peter
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