yet another exhaust manifold stud question

[rami]

I'm in the process of replacing my exhaust manifold studs. Got new studs and copper nuts from the dealer. Got the old ones out by double nutting them. I have read the faq on this subject. It says studs should be finger tight and to clean the threads with a thread chaser. There is no way I can install the new studs with only my fingers, way too tight, so I used a tap to clean up one of the threads. I used the correct thread tap (M8 x 1.25). When I did this, some aluminium shavings came out. Now the stud screws in easily with my fingers, but I'm worried that too much material is removed when using a tap and that it may leak oil. Should I continue to use a tap on the rest of the holes, or just clean them up brake cleaner as best I can? Is a "thread chaser" (what the faq recommends) the same thing as a tap? Also, which of the bottom 4 stud holes leads to an oil passage? I assume I don't want to spray brake cleaner into them then, just wipe out with a rag / paper towel?

thanks

Graeme

[Guest Anonymous]

Though I'm guilty of often using taps as thread cleaning devices...the CORRECT method involves the use of a "THREAD CHASER" - they're less aggressive - and usually gold in color - they remove less material and are really handy for aluminum threads. I'm not sure if Sears sells them - they're a bit less common than taps - but useful in your 2002 tool arsenal.

I bet a google search will find you a set easily. Get good ones! I use red loctite on exh. studs, and they've never given me a problem - just use heat if you have to remove them later.

HTH!

Paul Wegweiser

[Guest Anonymous]

you can see which studs may leak by removing the valve cover.

[tjones02]

The daeler ususlly sells the fully threaded studs for 2002's which are wrong. The correct ones have a threadless section in the middle that digs in to hold when you install them with a proper stud installer/setter and I always use blue loc-tite as a leak stopper. Hand tight is an old wives tale told by people w/o stud remover sockets, if it's hand tight it'll just back out and become loose.

[rami]

thank you for all replies. i got the correct studs from dealer with threadless centre section. i will try to find a "thread chaser". finding one through google is not as easy as one would guess.

[tjones02]

For a picture of what you want see https://www.mactools.com and do a search for TRMSET then choose the first item.