hello everyone i need advice from the seasoned members.
to start off truck is a 1997 f250 4x4 with the 4.6
Myself like others had the dreaded exhaust leak. I removed the manifolds and the studs. it is defiantly a job. I do know ford has the new studs which are stainless steel with a copper coating.
i bought my parts off ebay if yall could just give me your opinions.
I am kinda leary on the studs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310738007756?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301261213546?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Why???
Just remember ss will not rust like other studs will but the downside is ss is a softer metal. The threads will gall meaning the nut will not go either way after you gall ss. Use anti-seize and always make sure threads of the ss are clean.

 

I used grade 8 steel bolts, and 2 washers on each. Because I didn't want to wait for autozone to get studs ordered.

 

Grade 8 is probably the better option with the stress the exhaust system could put on the studs. They will rust and corrode but is the strongest option.