Wes, My recommendation is to use all studs on the heads instead of
bolts.  The big issue I have had with bolts is alignment when installing
the exhaust system and leaks at the head flanges.  If you use all studs
it will help the exhaust pipes line up just right and you will have no
trouble installing them and you shouldn't have a problem with cross
threading into the stud holes, etc.  I have done this job so many times
I have lost count and I have tried it a bunch of different ways, all
studs is the best way I have found.  If you really insist on replacing
them with bolts, the new studs should just easily unscrew with a double
nut.

Hope this helps,
--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242

On 4/30/2012 11:54 AM, pickle vanagon wrote:
> I'm interested in hangining my exhaust in an all-bolts configuration on the
> rebuilt 2.1 I have going into my 1.9 van.  I plan to use a4 stainless 8x30
> bolts.
>
> (My reasons are: it seems both studs and bolts have benefits, but they are
> maximized running all-studs or all-bolts.  E.g., with all-studs, none of
> the holes have thread-wear, with all-bolts, you can do a head gasket
> without removing exhaust.  All-studs are not an option for me since the 1.9
> water pump is in the way of removing the headers when using all-studs.)
>
>   My plan is to remove the studs was just to tighten two nuts against each
> other on each stud and use that to twist it off.  I'm guessing that this
> should be easy since the heads (and studs) are brand new.  Do I need to use
> a stud puller instead?  Or should they come out easy with the double-nut?
>
> Thanks,
> Wes
>