Studs for Manifolds

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Dec 21, 2017 | 08:21 AM

Bestian

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Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 33

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From: Illinois

Studs for Manifolds

Good Morning all,
Just was curious to see what you guys went with when you replaced the manifolds (or if you went with headers) in regards to the studs and nuts. Is stainless the best option, or are you looking for the tensile strength in a steel stud? I live in western Illinois where salt is a very common thing on our roads during winter.

I already have the manifolds and gaskets, just need the hardware.

Thanks in advance!
[=

Dec 21, 2017 | 11:53 AM

Im50fast

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 3,087

Likes: 24

From: Central Florida

Studs vs bolts isn’t the issue. They both have good tensile strength. If you really want lots of good info then pour through this forum for an hour or two. Lots of threads about this subject.
While you have the old exhaust manifold off you should get it machined so it’s flat. Some people on here have done that and considered it important.

Lots of talk on here about washers (or not), which type of anti seize to use, stainless steel fasteners vs standard steel, length of fastener, what type of gasket to use (strong opinions on that!)...
theres much more to consider than just the few things you mentioned. For sure though- get a “bottoming tap” to clean the threaded holes before you reinstall everything. And check the manifold flat with a good straight edge and get it machined if needed.

Dec 22, 2017 | 09:05 AM

krewat

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 42,561

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From: Long Island USA

If it were me, replacing stock manifolds, I'd go with the stock Ford hardware, and make sure to put anti-sieze on the stud, on the manifold, and the underside of the nut. The problem, in my opinion, is that the nut seizes to the manifold. As the manifold expands and contracts, it drags the nut with it, fatigueing the stud and it breaks. If you go to a stronger stud, I can only imagine that it would then wallow out the hole in the head which is much worse.

Also, another key factor - do NOT overtorque the nut. The tighter you make it, the more it will stick to the manifold. Make sure the surface of the manifold where the nut sits is as smooth as possible.

Dec 22, 2017 | 05:58 PM

WE3ZS

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Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 12,051

Likes: 1,549

From: Media PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestian

Good Morning all,
Just was curious to see what you guys went with when you replaced the manifolds (or if you went with headers) in regards to the studs and nuts. Is stainless the best option, or are you looking for the tensile strength in a steel stud? I live in western Illinois where salt is a very common thing on our roads during winter.

I already have the manifolds and gaskets, just need the hardware.

Thanks in advance!
[=

I went with a set of Banks headers and used their supplied bolts and gaskets. Nearly 5 years since the install and have never had to retorque or deal with any leaks, everything still looks very good. This is on a dedicated tow rig for our 11K TT, so they have seen plenty of heat but only about 6k miles a year.