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Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? #3066895
08/10/22 07:29 PM
08/10/22 07:29 PM
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Colorado
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dssaa Offline OP
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Just got my TTI shorty headers for my 67 Charger/440. Still have the old threaded header studs in, but the TTI kit came with header bolts. What do ya think...take the old ones out and go with the header bolts? Which is better, or does it make no difference? I am sure getting the headers in minus the old threaded studs will be easier...but am scared to snap off one of the old ones getting them out. Also...for those of you who have installed the TTI's before....are the mating surfaces supposed to look like a 2 year old did them? Mine seem flush, but the workmanship looks kind of amateur with uneven weld seams and marks. Is this common? Hoping to get them loose fit tonight....
Dave in Colorado

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: dssaa] #3066900
08/10/22 07:54 PM
08/10/22 07:54 PM
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Anchorage, Alaska
metallicareload Offline
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What cylinder heads are you using? I’m using studs with aluminum heads, I guess cause studs are stock shruggy It does make installing the headers a little more difficult tho. As long as the actual mating surface is milled flat, there shouldn’t be any problems there. If I recall correctly, my tti’s were nicer than the Hedman’s I took off


440, 4-Speed, 3.54
1968, when Dinosaurs ruled the Earth
Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: metallicareload] #3066907
08/10/22 08:17 PM
08/10/22 08:17 PM
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Colorado
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dssaa Offline OP
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Its currently running factory heads....

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: dssaa] #3066924
08/10/22 08:39 PM
08/10/22 08:39 PM
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So Cal
Sinitro Offline
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My preference is studs...
Makes installing the gasket so much easier, just slide the gasket and header on, put the nuts and torque down.

Just my $0.02... wink

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: dssaa] #3066930
08/10/22 08:56 PM
08/10/22 08:56 PM
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Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman Offline
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Originally Posted by dssaa

are the mating surfaces supposed to look like a 2 year old did them? Mine seem flush, but the workmanship looks kind of amateur with uneven weld seams and marks. Is this common?


I assume those are made in China. When I called in June they said they are "in production". I said when will they be ready? He said last September. I'm sure the girl that made them was 12 not 2 though.

Use studs wherever you can and bolts in the rest.


2011 Drag Pak Challenger
Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: rickseeman] #3066936
08/10/22 09:21 PM
08/10/22 09:21 PM
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So Near, Yet So Far
topside Offline
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Studs, definitely - especially anything that goes into coolant.

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: topside] #3066940
08/10/22 09:44 PM
08/10/22 09:44 PM
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Colorado
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dssaa Offline OP
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Studs it is. My only issue, and one that I had when I pulled the old headers off, is the as mentioned coolant. The header bolts that were in it were super short, and had silicone all over them (the rears had bolts, everything else is studs). The bolts in the TTI kit are a little longer, so hoping that helps. Should I still put some silicone RTV or a thread sealer on, or wait and see if it seals itself? Nothing worse than a coolant leak....

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: dssaa] #3066941
08/10/22 09:44 PM
08/10/22 09:44 PM
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Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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All 12 exhaust manifold holes are wet so you need to either use studs in every hole and bottom them out so coolant won't leak past the threads or use a good thread sealer on any header bolts you use up wrench
Most of the new aluminum heads have blind holes for the exhaust bolts, no sealer needed as they do not go into the water jacket in the heads work up grin
BTW, there may be one or up to 4 holes in those headers that need bolts instead of studs, seal them rascals up good wrench up


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: Cab_Burge] #3066943
08/10/22 09:49 PM
08/10/22 09:49 PM
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Colorado
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dssaa Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Cab_Burge
All 12 exhaust manifold holes are wet so you need to either use studs in every hole and bottom them out so coolant won't leak past the threads or use a good thread sealer on any header bolts you use up wrench
Most of the new aluminum heads have blind holes for the exhaust bolts, no sealer needed as they do not go into the water jacket in the heads work up grin
BTW, there may be one or up to 4 holes in those headers that need bolts instead of studs, seal them rascals up good wrench up



Got it!
Thanks everyone. Hope to have it running again tomorrow!

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: dssaa] #3066947
08/10/22 10:23 PM
08/10/22 10:23 PM
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Colorado
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dssaa Offline OP
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Remember that part where I said I was afraid to snap off one of the studs......SON OF A B@&*^H! Front passengers side did not make it to 30ft lbs on the torque...snapped clean off. It was the last one I was torquing on the passengers side. Of Course.

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: topside] #3066949
08/10/22 10:30 PM
08/10/22 10:30 PM
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Mass
DAYCLONA Offline
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Originally Posted by topside
Studs, definitely - especially anything that goes into coolant.




Agreed....

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: dssaa] #3066994
08/11/22 07:42 AM
08/11/22 07:42 AM
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Almost Heaven
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Bob Stinson Offline
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Almost Heaven
Originally Posted by dssaa
Remember that part where I said I was afraid to snap off one of the studs......SON OF A B@&*^H! Front passengers side did not make it to 30ft lbs on the torque...snapped clean off. It was the last one I was torquing on the passengers side. Of Course.


Sounds like my luck.

I just installed a set of Schumacher shortys so I put studs in. One head had one stud in it so I left it alone but I knew it was going to be trouble. After putting in the other 11 studs and torqueing them, I went to put the nut on that pre-existing one and it just sort of fell out. I put a longer stud in it and it threaded in way past the shoulder and I couldn't torque it. Now I'm afraid to torque the nut because it doesn't seem to be getting tighter although the stud isn't turning. I figure I'm down to the last good thread in that hole and don't want to pull that one out too.


69 road runner A12 ex-racer
71 Duster w/ a 400

Shiny paint causes stress.
Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: dssaa] #3067002
08/11/22 08:21 AM
08/11/22 08:21 AM
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Keymar, MD
DusterKid Offline
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I prefer to use studs in places where I can. Sometimes the header design doesn't allow room to use a stud so than an bolt has to be used.

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: Bob Stinson] #3067022
08/11/22 10:43 AM
08/11/22 10:43 AM
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Omaha Ne
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TJP Offline
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Originally Posted by Bob Stinson

Sounds like my luck.

I just installed a set of Schumacher shortys so I put studs in. One head had one stud in it so I left it alone but I knew it was going to be trouble. After putting in the other 11 studs and torqueing them, I went to put the nut on that pre-existing one and it just sort of fell out. I put a longer stud in it and it threaded in way past the shoulder and I couldn't torque it. Now I'm afraid to torque the nut because it doesn't seem to be getting tighter although the stud isn't turning. I figure I'm down to the last good thread in that hole and don't want to pull that one out too.


i would just helicoil and move on.

While I understand the concern of using using bolts in place of studs. I've bee doing do for 50 years without issue. I normally use a high temp sealer (copper or red). Using a wooden Q-tip I put a small amount in the threaded hole and on the end of the bolt, install and "elbow torque". Can't say I remember ever having an issue and if I did, drain the coolant, repeat the above on the offending bolt. Much easier than drilling out a broken stud in the car IMO
Most headers I've seen over the years do not give enough clearance to use a regular sized nut and require the bolts with undersize heads shruggy twocents beer

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: TJP] #3067057
08/11/22 12:33 PM
08/11/22 12:33 PM
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Posts: 19,238
north of coder
moparx Online content
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moparx  Online Content
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studs and using flange nuts with undersized hex here.
i just make sure i use the proper length stud for the intended header.
beer

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: moparx] #3067067
08/11/22 01:09 PM
08/11/22 01:09 PM
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fredericksburg,va
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cudaman1969 Offline
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SBC stud kit hanging on the wall at the speed shop, stud 5/16” nuts were 7/16” hex & 1/4” thread with serrations on the back. They never got loose. Those nuts where great for tight spots too.

Last edited by cudaman1969; 08/11/22 01:09 PM.
Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: dssaa] #3067158
08/11/22 07:58 PM
08/11/22 07:58 PM
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Oregon
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AndyF Offline
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Oregon
Always use studs if you can. Sometimes you can't.

Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: AndyF] #3067376
08/12/22 03:04 PM
08/12/22 03:04 PM
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westerly, ri. usa
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440lebaron Online content
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westerly, ri. usa
I use a combination of studs different length since they go into water jacket mr gasket makes a 3/8 stud with a 1/4/28 7/16 nut


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Re: Header bolts vs studs. Preferences? [Re: 440lebaron] #3067428
08/12/22 06:45 PM
08/12/22 06:45 PM
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fredericksburg,va
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cudaman1969 Offline
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Originally Posted by 440lebaron
I use a combination of studs different length since they go into water jacket mr gasket makes a 3/8 stud with a 1/4/28 7/16 nut

That’s the one I use







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