renewing exhaust manifold studs

[magpies]

Hi
I'm about to fit new exhaust manifolds - are there any 'better' alternatives? or just straight swap with new from Ford?

[phillpot]

Mines got bolts (2.9), but think Ford used studs on their cars?

I've used stainless on the theory that they shouldn't corrode in like standard bolts, downside is if one should snap off will be a pig to drill out ?

Did find this little chap very handy for getting at bottom bolts . . . .

[GreenV8S]

Not tried it on the V6 cars, but on the V8 access to the manifold bolts is an absolute sod and it helps a lot to replace the original plain bolts with ARP K-headed ones. The K head bolts have smaller heads which means there's more space around the spanner head. I also find that a fine 72-point ratchet is indespensible. On the V8 you can't get it on all the bolts but you can on most of them, and it saves hours of time trying to turn the bolts half a flat at a go.

[steve j]

I`ve had stainless in mine for a few years and recently they were removed with no problems at all.