replacing plastic elbow to exhaust manifold
 

Just wondering if anybody has had any problems with the plastic fittings(elbow) that holds the plastic drain plug to the exhaust manifold, such as having to replace them due to leaking. Recently I broke the drain plug on one exhaust manifold and when trying to remove the elbow from the manifold in an attempt to get the remaining piece out I found out it was made of plastic the hard way. It quickly broke off with very little pressure leaving the plastic thread stuck to the manifold. Any advice on removing the left over plastic that remains on the female threads of the exhaust manifold. I'm thinking of heating it up and picking away at it but I'm not sure how safe taking a propane torch into the engine compartment will be. The plastic is stuck on there pretty good.
1995 shabah 202 5.7L mercruiser/ alpha one

Re: replacing plastic elbow to exhaust manifold
 

A thread chasing tap should clean it out pretty fast.
I think there's a metal elbow available too.