kevin12973

Or call them lower crankcase studs, How bad is it to remove them? I did the head studs and they really sucked, but got them. Will the lowers be assembled with thread locker like the head? Will heating be required?
If you want to ask, "why the hell would you want to pull the studs?" Its to prep the block for Nicasil plating. They said it needs to be free of all steel parts/ fasteners. Thanks

tempest411

I can't imagine it should be too bad. The shop that plated my block pulled my main bearing studs without too much trouble.

If 928 Motorsports is doing it, I recommend you make sure they deck the block AFTER the plating process, not before as they did mine. My deck looks pretty weird with 'shadows' from the way they secure the block to the rack in the solution. They say it won't effect head gasket sealing, but it sure doesn't look reassuring. I'll probably have my deck resurfaced again just to make sure all is good with it.

Van

I call them the girdle studs. Yes, they have thread locker like the head studs - so you'll have to use heat.

Carl Fausett

We use heat to soften the Loctite red and a Snap-On collet-style stud puller to remove the studs without damage.

V2Rocket

Has anyone found an appropriate replacement for these studs aside from the raceware items?

Carl Fausett

We have never found a need. Now 6 years at 900+ HP and the cradle studs are fine. They are numerous, and very very good quality. Use the stock cradle studs.

V2Rocket

Carl - you found new replacement studs or you re-use the original ones?
There is no PN for the 944 studs so you cannot order replacements.

Carl Fausett

We re-use the OEM cradle studs. I do replace the nuts. Whether I replace or re-use the washers depends on whether I am installing a crank scraper or not.

kevin12973

Thanks Carl. I got the studs out pretty easy with double nut method. Didn't even need heat! There was threadlocker but not the high strength stuff like the head studs had.
So now I need to remove the remaining steel hardware. I have the tool pin in front main bearing journal and the sleeve in the rear that sits around the main stud. Any tips? I'm struggling with these.

tempest411

If anyone wants a set of the studs, I have a set of used OE ones for the cost of shipping...

kevin12973

I caught a break. Called Millennium and they told me the little roll pin on #1 main can stay and the big pin in the back can stay too! They just calk over the steel during the plating process. Any other dowels left they pull, no big deal. Cool! Great guys to work with.