Break down an buy new studs.
If you have to go in and out a few times with bolts it'll ruin the threads
in the aluminum heads and cost you about $800.00 for heads.
If you're just fixing the van so you can dump it then just go ahead with the
bolt alternate cause everybody that buys a used Vanagon gets threaded
anyway.

Stan Wilder

----- Original Message -----
From: "Warren.K.Lail-1" <wlail@OU.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 11:27 AM
Subject: studs or bolts on exhaust

> Hi everyone,
>
> The engine is going to have to come back out of
> my 88 Westy, Billy Bones, and when I put it back
> in - and I'm not sure when that will be - I was
> wondering whether it is okay to replace those
> exhaust manifold studs with bolts.  Why are bolts
> used on some head connections and studs on others?
>
> Warren
> 88 Westy "Billy Bones" (in dry dock)
> 87 GL "Long John" (smoothing sailing always)