I've got a bit of confusion about the exhaust studs.

I'm replacing the exhaust pipes on my '89 2.1L Westy, and have removed the entire exhaust system. The pipes were attached to the exhaust ports via 2 studs at each port. I removed all 8 studs, to find they were a bit mismatched: 2 x 40mm, 1 x 38mm, 1 x 36mm, 4 x 31mm. 

I purchased a "hardware kit" which includes 4 x  30mm bolts and 4 x 38mm studs, and I guess it makes sense to use the bolts to replace the upper studs at each port and the new studs to replace the old lower studs. Fine.

I double check Bentley. At 15.17 only studs are shown on the for both the upper and lower connections at the exhaust ports. At 26.9, it shows bolts and studs being used to connect the exhaust, but only on the upper connections of the front right and rear left exhaust ports. On the front left and rear right exhaust ports the diagram seems to indicate that studs should be used.

Hm. I check the list archives and it seems people have used all bolts, all studs, and combinations to no reported ill effect.

I am assuming that it doesn't matter what I use where. Am I wrong in this assumption, or has anyone discovered any "best practices" for exhaust pipe connections? Any advice is appreciated.  Thanks.

Jarrett Kupcinski
Oly, '89 Westy