722 Muffler Replacement

[Atilathehun99]

My local Bobcat dealer has agreed to sell me a used muffler for my 722. I say agreed because it's coming off of a functional Ford I-94 that could then be sold but it wouldn't have a muffler. They're no longer available so good for me and I guess they know what they're doing.
This muffler bolts directly to the head w/out an intervening exhaust manifold.
Anyway my question is: The studs in the head of my engine are tight and what are the odds of damaging the head with some gas axe heat to the head to coax them to turn out?

 

[Tazza]

Some heat and penetrating oil can't hurt. Just go real slow when taking them out. Move bacn and forth to wiggle them loose. If they break, you will be drilling them out later. They may still snap, just go slow and hopefully you won't. I use a product called neverseaze, works great to prevent them locking up when you later need to remove them, even on exhaust manifolds.