My preference would be to have all studs.
The advantage is it's always easy to heat a nut to remove it years later,
from the stud, rather than risk breaking a bolt off that's screwed deep into
the head.

Yes, this could make some operations more difficult, like if you just wanted
to loosen the exhaust pipes and push them back a bit to 'sneak' out one head
to replace the head gasket, engine in the van- then yes, that would be
harder, but I think it's worth it to have studs. 

As for the push rod lower covers, having to remove a whole bolt to get those
brackets undone is silly. I just notch out the brackets with a hack saw, so
you only have to loosen a bolt or nut to get those covers off.

Scott
www.turbovans.com  

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Philip Zimmerman
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 1:22 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 2.1 Engine Exhaust Stud/Bolt Questions?

Time for some preventative maintenance on the proverbial rusting
exhaust system!
Presently running a stock 2.1 exhaust system with OEM Pipes and Hangers.

Anyone using 8-M8x38mm studs on the block verses the more common,
4-Studs & 4-M8x30mm Bolts used in the stock configuration?

I'm concerned about interference issues. I do understand the (OEM)
Bolt/Stud set-up is for ease of installation and all. Installing either
the front/rear pipes onto four fixed studs, may be a real pain, let
alone a near-impossible set-up to work with, given the tight spaces in
this region of the engine compartment. What are your experiences?

Rusting in Campbell River, BC.....

regards

Phil Z.
---------------------

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