metalchewy

Putting BBK shorties on my wife's '00 V6 mustang. (replacing the broken manifold)

The original studs for the exhast coming out of the head are still in perfect condition.

Would you keep the original studs? Or use the mounting bolts that came with the headers?


Thanks for any help

-=- Tom

l_shizzle_l

I would use the original studs as long as they are in good condition. The ones that come with headders tend to back out.

__________________
lots of "stuff"
Forged and stroked 4.3L V6

metalchewy

Thanks for the advice. I was attempting the exact thing earlier.

The original studs were in good condition, but once I got the headers in, it was apparent that it would be very difficult to get the lower ones tightened up with the 1/2 inch nuts on it with the larger size tubes. I tried using the studs. I had already had to pull the two long ones on the front of the right side and the back of the left side to get the headers to go onto the studs, then, had to take them off again to pull another lower one because the long ones wouldnt clear the lower side. When I finally got the headers to clear the studs by putting one the lower long one at one of the top ones, then putting the nuts on, could only get the open end side of an end wrench on the nut. This made it to where I couldnt get the proper torque on it without stripping the nut.

I ended up pulling all the studs and using the bolts that came with them as a result. They were a 3/8 inch. When I pulled the back stud on the drivers side, it was apparent it had buggered up the threads a little. Will get a thread chase tomorrow that fits to make sure I dont damage the aluminum threads. Dropped a bolt down one of the open y-pipe tubes. Man, that was fun to get out.

l_shizzle_l

You must be as clumsly as me, while putting my intake spacer on i dropped aalignment peg down the lower intake, all the way down it. I know the feeling...

__________________
lots of "stuff"
Forged and stroked 4.3L V6

metalchewy

Yup. I always gotta do something like that. Dunno howmany times I dropped the 3/16 wrench while pulling the studs out. That little thing kept landing under the jack between the jack stands right in the middle. Was just glad it didnt get caught on cross-member or someplace difficult to reach it.
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Well, the headers are in. Car sounds a little more throaty. Feels slightly stronger from a stop, but got noticable umph in 3000-4500 RPM range.

Thanks.