Exhaust manifold studs pros and con questions....

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Johnny5

No worries it’s a place to discuss anything exhaust bolts or studs! ��

If I was to go bolts I would probably go factory. But I’m interested in studs for my new SS headers. I found a few SS studs and read put loctite red or blue on the cylinder thread and copper anti seize with copper nuts. I’m just afraid of messing up the cylinder head from corrosion (read about it somewhere) or them snapping in the cylinder and having a hard time drilling them out.

When installing one type of metal into a dissimilar metal. like mild steel into Aluminum.
Your going to get Galvanic corrosion. It is caused by an electrical process. The dissimilar metals actually create an electrical charge. Even if you use stainless steel.

So because the Engine block is Aluminum I use Anti-seize on things like spark-plugs, or exhausts studs- or bolts if I have to replace them.

If I have to replace an exhaust stud or bolt I use mild steel with Anti-seize. That way if I ever have to go back in and I break a stud off it is easy to drill out.

The practice of using mild steel exhaust studs with brass or copper nuts has been used in the Automotive industry for over 100 years.
They did it that way so that the nut would not seize to the stud from the affects of repeated heat and cold cycles.

The reason you see bolts now being used to hold the exhaust manifold on is because it is cheaper.
Profit is the driver. A bolt is one piece and one step. As opposed to two pieces and manufacturing processes. And two steps to install.

Use what suits your needs or what you feel is best for the situation.
Some may say I am over thinking it, I am just using what has worked for over 100 years for that specific application.

[Johnny5]

Originally Posted by blue62

When installing one type of metal into a dissimilar metal. like mild steel into Aluminum.
Your going to get Galvanic corrosion. It is caused by an electrical process. The dissimilar metals actually create an electrical charge. Even if you use stainless steel.

So because the Engine block is Aluminum I use Anti-seize on things like spark-plugs, or exhausts studs- or bolts if I have to replace them.

If I have to replace an exhaust stud or bolt I use mild steel with Anti-seize. That way if I ever have to go back in and I break a stud off it is easy to drill out.

The practice of using mild steel exhaust studs with brass or copper nuts has been used in the Automotive industry for over 100 years.
They did it that way so that the nut would not seize to the stud from the affects of repeated heat and cold cycles.

The reason you see bolts now being used to hold the exhaust manifold on is because it is cheaper.
Profit is the driver. A bolt is one piece and one step. As opposed to two pieces and manufacturing processes. And two steps to install.

Use what suits your needs or what you feel is best for the situation.
Some may say I am over thinking it, I am just using what has worked for over 100 years for that specific application.

Well said! I believe you are dead on with it being a cost factor. On some factory vehicles they do use mild steel and copper nuts and I believe its as you stated its easier to drill out if it ever breaks.

What type of anti seize do you use? I was using regular but was told to start using nickel on spark plugs. Was going to use copper for the exhaust

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Johnny5

Well said! I believe you are dead on with it being a cost factor. On some factory vehicles they do use mild steel and copper nuts and I believe its as you stated its easier to drill out if it ever breaks.

What type of anti seize do you use? I was using regular but was told to start using nickel on spark plugs. Was going to use copper for the exhaust

So I use the gray ant seize on something like exhaust.
It is very fine aluminum in a petroleum base.
Messy crap

Copper anti seize (copper slip) is for applications like spark plugs where you want good electrical conductivity along with the anti seize properties.
Spark plugs ground via the threads in the block so Copper anti seize.

I have used the gray (aluminum) on plugs with no problems.
So really it could be used for just about any anti seize application.

I have not seen nickel anti seize.
But I wasn't looking for it either