So I just replaced the transmission on my 2001 s10. I’m very much a novice mechanic, so this was a big deal for me. In the process of doing that I found two of these bolts that I do not remember taking off. Anyone know what they go to? Also now that I’m driving again, it seems like I have a leak coming from the cylinder head exhaust manifold (yay a new project) Do these bolts go to that? Can anyone help me?
thanks,
-es

 

That looks like a bolt that goes into the engine block or cylinder heads to which an accessory bracket or a brace is mounted. I'm pretty sure there such bolts on the front, sides and back of the block and heads.

 

Also exhaust bolts - on some that style hold pipe flange to exhaust manifold, cat flange to exhaust pipe bolts, Ect. They look as too be covered in carbon and lower half looks charred and has been hot so check the exhaust system

 

Looks like upper plenum bolt.

 

I'm going to say they are exhaust manifold studs. They connect the exhaust pipes to the manifold. Would make sense since you said you have an exhaust leak now.

 

I would say this

they look too big to be intake bolts