SBF exhaust bolts? studs? suggestions?

[Rian_Colorado]

Hello all!

Getting ready to set the motor in and test fit some things in the coming weeks. I have AFR 1458 heads and gasn headers, and I'm wondering what others have used here? I prefer using studs if possible as the thought of damaging threads in a block makes my stomach hurt! That said, I know it's not always possible to fit things the way I want sometimes. I'm also not sure what the thread size or depth should be as I can't find anything in the few short searches I've done. I'm sure others here have done my homework for me though! All input greatly appreciated

Rian

[gbranham]

I used studs. With antiseize on the threads that go into the head. I used ARP 12pt.

[Mike.Bray]

Definitely studs. Put the (Remflex) gasket on and it stays. I used these. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-100-1404

I'm a huge fan of studs, probably because I am one:) But seriously, I use them in lots of laces in both my cars and in equipment that I design in my day job. You are correct to be concerned about tightening a bolt into an aluminum head. In this case you are applying multiple forces to the soft thread in the head. With a stud the force on the head is only tension, there's no twisting or friction in the internal threads if that makes sense.

[jengum]

Not to hijack the thread...what is the stud spacing on the AFR heads and what did you choose for the primary port size on the gas'n headers?

[Derald Rice]

X3 on the use of studs....Makes life a lot easier keeping everything in place ...

BUT.......There are a lot places where ARP quality is not needed, and for those situations I use
extended length set screws from McMaster Carr...... They are avail in almost every possible thread,
and length for pennies compared to ARP prices.

EDIT: I just realized that you were specifically asking about exhaust bolts....and While I do use the
set screws for a lot of things.....

For exhaust bolts I always use Stage 8 locking header bolts...

[danmas]

I went 1/2 way. The studs are great to line it up and keep the gasket on. However the arp ones are like $100 or more from summit. I got 3 cheap studs from the local auto parts shop, put the initial fit on that and then just used the provided bolts from Gas-n performance. I then backed out the three studs and finished it with the remaining bolts. All the simplicity of studs for about $6.

[i.e.427]

Stage 8 locking bolts

[BornWestUSA]

I just ordered 16 of these, 1" long with self locking washers, 12 point.

https://shop.totallystainless.com/productlistheaderbolts.php

buy once, cry once?

[cv2065]

I just ordered 16 of these, 1" long with self locking washers, 12 point.

https://shop.totallystainless.com/productlistheaderbolts.php

buy once, cry once?

I had those my last build. Seemed to work well. Now that I’m using ARP studs I’m going to try the Nord Loc washers with the ARP nuts and see how that works out.