Well, they all came out when I removed my exhaust... All but the one that snapped off flush! It took a few attempts with a reverse drill bit, then three hours with a dremel tool, to clear the hole. I cleaned up the threads with a tap. Now for my question...

Can you use stainless steel or zinc plated (grade 8) bolts for your exhaust? Is one going to be better than the other? I figure, if the studs are either going to come out or break, then what's the difference between that or a bolt?

If you'd toss me your opinion on this, I'd appreciate it.

 

I don't like to mix metals in high temp use. They tend to either never come apart or never stay together and its tough to know which it will be until its too late.

I would get a new set from HD and call it a day personally.

 

I would also go with a new set of studs from HD. Plus I would use never seize on them so they will easily come out in the future.

 

Check McMaster Carr website for SS in the size you need; they are less likely to snap off. Some Anti-Sieze when re-installing would be wise. Why were you removing them anyway?

 

I needed to swap out trans and cam covers...they were pretty rough....and to wrap my pipes.

Thanks y'all for the input.

 

I've got a set of SS exhaust studs from Topline Fasteners. I was going to use them when I had the motor work done but my builder said it was a chance they would break so I opted to not go that route. Let me know if you're interested.

 

What does that have to do with removing the exhaust studs? You don't have to remove the studs to remove your exhaust.
Tom

 

You ever do much wrenching? Over time from getting hot then cooling off the nuts can seize to the studs. So, when you try to take the nut off it can unscrew the stud from the head or snap the stud.

 

Hey Tom -

The studs followed the acorn nuts right out. Except for one, which was seized and broke off.

 

acorn nuts on exh studs is a no-no in my book. any kind of moisture, dirt etc.. gets trapped inside the nut and you end up in your situation. use the HD studs and open stainless nuts with lock washers and they should never seize again.