Use SS or regular bolts for exhaust?

[Jacob]

Since I’m using spacers on my exhausts I won’t be using the FF issued bolts...thinking down the road when taking the exhausts off, should I use stainless?or just regular zinc coated steel bolts?

[Jim1855]

I usually ran grade 8 steel, fine thread and double nuts. Don't think SS would be good in that application. The hardware looks pretty bad after a while.
Jim

[rich grsc]

NO SS, they are not as strong as regular bolts and WILL gaul on exhausts. Just use a good quality bolts with brass nuts, they will never seize.

[Derald Rice]

Like rich said, good bolts with brass nuts. I take it a little further, and recommend brass coupler nuts. The extra length helps cover the threads of the bolts.

[NAZ]

Use a good quality header bolt to attach the headers to the heads and plated grade-5 cap screws and nuts to attach flanged couplings. If you have flanged head cap screws and flanged nuts you won't need to use flat washers. And get the serrated nuts they will resist loosening. If you're worried about removing these years down the road coat them with high temp anti-seize.

If you use SS fasteners you should plan on trouble when it's time to remove them. If these low tensile strength fasteners don't loosen from repeated heat cycles then they'll likely gaul leaving you with a challenge removing them. If carbon steel fasteners seize you can always remove them with an oxy-actelyne "wrench" but that's not an option with SS fasteners.

[SSNK4US]

What they said. NO stainless there....

Kurt

[CraigS]

I use plain silver plated G5 bolts and double nuts. I have always been surprised how easily they come apart.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I'm in the same brass nuts camp as Rich and Derald. Working on this stuff for 40+ years has taught old guys like us a thing or two ;)

Jeff

[Jacob]

Thanks all! Lots of good advice!

[Bill_VA]

Brass nuts sound like a good idea, but I guess you have to be extra careful not to torque them down as tight as you might with steel nuts, right?

If you're bolting on SS pipes, couldn't you use SS nuts on the pipes side?

[Jacob]

Brass nuts sound like a good idea, but I guess you have to be extra careful not to torque them down as tight as you might with steel nuts, right?

If you're bolting on SS pipes, couldn't you use SS nuts on the pipes side?


I’ll just say this, I used SS bolts and nuts to hold things in place, never started the engine, then when I got guidance on what to do I had one SS nut that “galled” on the bolt and spent hours with a Dremel getting that bolt out...can only imagine taking these off after long term use...I don’t want to see another SS bolt!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Brass nuts sound like a good idea, but I guess you have to be extra careful not to torque them down as tight as you might with steel nuts, right?



Bill,
3/8-16 brass nuts are darn robust and can be tightened every bit as much as is necessary and prudent for the header to pipe flange.

Jeff

[Bill_VA]

Actually, I was thinking of using grade 8 bolts and stainless nuts. However, with Jeff's recommendation on brass nuts, that's the way I'll go.

BTW, whenever you use SS on SS, always use anti-seise to prevent galling.

[Jacob]

I knew that I should have used anti seize, thought I could get by temporarily...but will never do that again, real PIA!

[Avalanche325]

I used SS on my hangers with anti seize and had to cut one off recently due to galling. It was lots of fun.

It's official. Most Cobra drivers have brass nuts.

[rich grsc]

I used SS on my hangers with anti seize and had to cut one off recently due to galling. It was lots of fun.

It's official. Real Cobra drivers have brass nuts.

There I fixed your comment for you. :rolleyes:

[Dave Howard]

I've used 316 coarse thread SS nuts and bolts with a liberal amount of never-seez to make the connection between the side pipes and the headers. In fact, I've used SS hardware in most low strength application where the fastener is visible. Again, use a lubricating compound and don't torque the crap out of it. Works fine and looks good.