I too have the rusty exhaust manifold studs I am getting all my parts together before starting and I had a question.
I know you get what you pay for but are those Chinese copy stainless headers any good? I saw a set up close at a car show and they looked okay polished, stainless, big thick flange, 150.00 shipped I am all ears to what you guys think or if anyone has first hand expirence.....thanks

 

Saw a write up in tech section ..but have a question still the eBay headers list "will not work on 4 wd" but Gibson site lists one part for everything unless you need the egr has anyone put the eBay headers on a 4x4 ????

 

Worth a look, perhaps worst case scenario:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...y-headers.html

I recall it was also Greco who had to re-weld them as they cracked.

 

cracking seems to be likely with them, so keep that in mind.

 

I replaced all the studs on my '99 3 years ago. Eventually I sold the truck to a friend and its still going stong with no broken bolts. I think the material must have been updated as the originals rusted away after 2 years.

 

I bought two sets of the ebay ones both sets cracked after one year. Then I went and bought a set of Gibsons much better quality heavier tubes and flanges. If you have some broken studs that have a small amount still sticking out of the head the easiest way I found to remove them was weld a nut onto it so you can use a socket. Just make sure you turn your heat up pretty high so it goes down the threads to help loosen it up
good luck hope this helped