Has anyone put stainless studs in for the manifolds? i'm considering it when i put on the new manifolds but have heard good and bad. It makes sense to use stainless for its resistence of oxidation at high temps, also stainless has less thermal exspansion in comparison the carbon steel. So is anyone running stainless manifold studs or bolts?

 

I used stainless steel bolts and washers when I did my exhaust manifolds probably 13 years ago now. It was around the same time I was sick of fighting all the rusted parts and I used ss brake lines, and ss hardware to hold the brake and fuel lines, etc.
Then I parked the truck and now only drive it in the summers.

But I see no reason not to use ss hardware wherever you want.

 

ok, sounds good, i hust wasn't sure if i'd have a hard time removing them in the future.

 

Just be careful that you don't over-tighten the SS hardware and you'll be fine. SS tends to gall and bind if you over-torque it but it will definitely last a lot longer.

 

Nate is spot-on. SS is good to use but if you over tighten them and they gall you're screwed. (pun intended) You can buy some anti-galling compound to help reduce the chances of galling.
For your reading pleasure:
http://www.fastenal.com/content/feds...%20Galling.pdf

 

On SS fasteners always use anti-sieze compound and never use power tools.