Stainless Steel Exhaust Manifold Studs. Should I even bother?

[Humboldt]

Anyone now source/part number for stainless steel exhaust manifold studs? L16 Thanks

 

[MikeRL411]

Now or Know?

[tr8er]

Read up on it. People don't like how soft SS is. And don't use graphite containing anti seize with SS. It will likely work fine for you, but don't think it's better than your standard studs. But it's pretty, I know. You might consider regular studs for the hard to reach studs, and stainless on the top row for the looks. Just wanted to add that.

 

http://store.acadianasportscars.com/ascoexhstd9062510

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I wouldn't use stainless unless you have to, like in a marine application. It can be more brittle than hardened steel and the threads gall more easily, actually quite a lot.

 

If you're motivation is attributed to the fact that the factory studs have worn out or broken, you have to keep in mind that they have lasted 40 years. If you're resourceful, you can cross reference an OEM stud from another, more modern application that will be available over the counter and work well.

 

I don't like to buy generic auto parts store hardware (Dorman) if I can find the right one at the dealer. But then I also have very high standards when it comes to my builds.

[difrangia]

 

Be sure you have brass nuts.

 

 

Oh, on the L16, by the way.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Steve,

 

I think you do a fine job on your cars, you really pay a lot of attention to detail, but I think I'm going to disagree on this subject, or at least I'm going to offer my opinion that vehicles should never be post dated in their technology. They can certainly be updated, but using older technology than what a car or truck came with is not something I like to see.

 

The brass nuts (on the L16...!) would work with the stainless studs, but a modern stud with a modern, small head flange nut with a split in it (for locking) as found on many new cars would work better than a brass nut. The friction held on the flange nut will far surpass the holding power that a brass nut can offer. And it would be in line with my style of updating.

 

I'm not saying "you should do it this way", just offering an arguement.

 

I'm a stickler for details.

[Farmer Joe]

id would just get the normal black metal studs..

 

what do you need stainless for?

[DanielC]

Datsun updated the brass exhaust manifold to down pipe nuts to Stainless steel about 40 years ago.   These nuts are a M8-1.25, and about 12 MM tall, and fit a 14 MM wrench.

The newer Stainless nut does not seize easily on a NOT stalnless M8-1.25 exhaust pipe stud.

 

There are many types of "stainless steel".  A lot of "stainless" steel alloys are made from low carbon alloys of steel, because carbon in steel tends to make it rust.  If you reduce the amount of carbon, you reduce the amount of chromium, and other rare metals to make the steel non rusting, or "stainless".  But steel get strength from carbon.  So many stainless steels are not really that strong.

 

Some stainless steels also get strength from heat treating them.   You would not want to use a heat treated stainless steel for an exhaust stud, because the repeated heating and cooling will mess with the heat treating.

[tr8er]

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Looks like an ice cream bar...on fire.

 

I'm hungry.

[MicroMachinery]

Lick it. I'm sure it tastes the same.

[datzenmike]

I replace the nuts only with SS. They remain rust/corrosion free and are just easier to remove later.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

That's the right way to do it.