There have been several discussions on other forums about this.
Essentially, if it's a torqued nut then the torque setting is defined
by the type of nut and stud - stainless (or different grade nuts for
that matter) require different to torque settings.  Saying "stainless
is not as strong" is incorrect - like different grades of nuts, it
depends on the alloy of the stainless.  I imagine that standard
stainless nuts may be "less strong" then standard non-stainless nuts,
but that is still a generalization.  The alloys used in stainlesss
(and there are many many alloys) give the metal different properties
then carbon steel.  There is even a problem changing the strength
class (using grade 8 nuts/bolts when grade 5 are specified) - some
nuts/bolts are specified because they are supposed to fail at a
certain stress to prevent further damage to the engine - and of course
there's that torque issue again.

The upshot, is that if it's a torqued nut, use the manufacturer
specified if possible.  If you replace with stainless when not
specified, you take a chance that the nut will fail.  Doesn't mean it
will, just that it may or may not be within proper specifications
(thus Franks observation that he uses stainless hardware and does not
have failure).

Dan
Los Angeles, CA
'85 Westy Weekender

On May 5, 2011, at 2:33 AM, Frank Condelli wrote:

>        I beg to disagree.  All engines I have rebuilt here get
> stainless hardware everywhere possible.  Never seen any problems
> related to the use of stainless hardware on the engine cases or
> elsewhere.  See here >  http://www.frankcondelli.com/21engpcs.htm
>
>
> On 2011-05-05, at 12:00 AM, Automatic digest processor wrote:
>
>> I sure would not be putting any stainless fasteners on it.
>> they are not as strong ..
>> stainless is not titanium or 'fautless' like people  want to think
>> it is.
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> '87 Westy & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
> Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in
> the Ottawa Valley
> Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems
> BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2011