Man, and I knock on wood as I'm typing, I had to drop the Y pipe on my 67 as I'm pulling the oil pan and forgot to soak the bolts. For some glorious reason, a 15 minute soak did the trick. I wouldn't dare guess that I'd have the same luck with the manifold studs!
It was then that I realized that at some point in the last 13 years, I lent my suspension tools to a gent that lives in Washington state. Mission aborted until a 'save me' set can be afforded.
Stoked for your success, man! Love it when a plan comes together!