Community Forums

phil-t · 06-03-2021, 03:58 PM

Found a couple broken exhaust studs and found a gy to remove and replace all of them.
Is there some kind of preventive time/milage/etc. thing to go by for replacing before they break? That was not a fun process!

Jim_HiTek · 06-03-2021, 04:28 PM

Too many years ago to remember all the details but when I needed all mine replaced, I got the best high temp bolts I could find in the US, and the recommended upgraded exhaust gasket, and carried them with me down to Mexico. Lubed each bolt according to the recommendations of many mechanics, loaned my torque wrench set properly to the mechanic and let them have at it. The next year, had them re-tightened to specs but didn't re-oil them. ~10 years later they were still good. Costs for all they did, including removing 3 broken studs, was under $100.

From my reading, I thought that I was supposed to check the torque once a year but I was a bit lazy on that point. And the bolts are supposed to be changed regularly if I recall correctly, along with the gasket. Sort of a temp related thing though. If you do a lot of summer travel (I'm a snow bird so not often driving in over 80 F temps), then an aggressive maintenance procedure is called for. If you're a snow bird too, then you can probably do a moderate or minimum procedure. Especially if you're in the 3K to 5K miles or less per year group.

JMO mostly and you know what opinions are worth.

buzz57 · 06-03-2021, 08:09 PM

Common problem. And I understand your pain. Did mine 2 years ago. DON"T use the studs from ford. Rust out very quick. I think it's galvanic corrosion because it starts with the nuts then migrates to the stud. As mentioned, buy top quality(find some I dare you) that aren't made in china. I got mine from rock auto made or sold by dorman. Threw the nuts away and bought stainless nuts and washers for them. I had very bad luck with the metallic multiply gaskets. Changed them to felpro non metallic and all's been good since. Good quality antiseize(NOT coppercote) and I don't think you'll ever have to change them again!
Good luck!

ga traveler · 06-04-2021, 08:27 AM

In one of the schools I went to at Delta Air Lines, we learned about normalizing engine temperatures. We were taught to always let the engine run for three or four minutes before shutting down. I have always followed that rule. I have a small kitchen timer on my dash. I set it to four minutes. I go in to register and my wife shuts off the engine when the alarm goes off. I set at each stop and turn off the engine when the alarm goes off. I went to the timer because I forgot to turn off the engine several times.
My 1998 pace arrow has 80,000 miles and is twenty three years old. I have no broken studs. And yes I have used a pair of pliers to pull on them and check for broken studs that are rusted in place.
This also worked on the four 454 Chevy engines in my other motorhomes. The 454 was notorious for warped exhaust manifolds.

Traveler2162 · 06-04-2021, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

In one of the schools I went to at Delta Air Lines, we learned about normalizing engine temperatures. We were taught to always let the engine run for three or four minutes before shutting down. I have always followed that rule. I have a small kitchen timer on my dash. I set it to four minutes. I go in to register and my wife shuts off the engine when the alarm goes off. I set at each stop and turn off the engine when the alarm goes off. I went to the timer because I forgot to turn off the engine several times.
My 1998 pace arrow has 80,000 miles and is twenty three years old. I have no broken studs. And yes I have used a pair of pliers to pull on them and check for broken studs that are rusted in place.
This also worked on the four 454 Chevy engines in my other motorhomes. The 454 was notorious for warped exhaust manifolds.

Same thing recommended for heavy service diesel engines that push boats. These things work pretty hard. Right in the manual. Run at an idle for at least 5 minutes before shutting off engine.

We don't have to do this with cars because they are barely working most of the time.