Nicholbry

By removing the bolts at the exhaust manifold/catalytic converter union, I lowered my exhaust a bit to get at the rearmost flywheel cover bolts (I'm leaving them off this time) to inspect my torque tube clamp for any possible bowing.

In doing so, the rusty 19 yr old exhaust bolts proved tough to get off, even though they were just off 5K miles ago (thanks to humid weather here in the South). I decided I would try and source some stainless steel bolts this time as a replacement. My search here on Rennlist revealed nothing, although I may not have typed in the magic word or phrase to get me there.

- If this topic has been covered, was anyone successful at locating any that will fit?

- If so, where might I find them?

- If not, does anyone know the thread profile that I would need when calling around to try and source them? According to PET it looks like it may be M8, although it seems a bit unclear to me in the manner it is displayed.

- Any problems using stainless for this application?

Thanks for any help you guys might be!

Mrmerlin

Just buy some good steel bolts and coat the threads with antiseize.
The stainless will eventually gall and then you wont be able to remove them
Threads are M8 ,1.25 pitch length is your call, and if you have the hangers attached to the bell housing then you will need longer ones

Leon Speed

Also check if the supports to the block are intact. They tend to break with age.

jackson101

your local " fastenall " dealer will help you.

jcorenman

McMasters also stocks a good line of metric fasteners (http://www.mcmaster.com/, search for "stainless cap screws"). They have a choice of stainless alloys, 18-8 is the most common (and cheapest, about $12 for 25), 316 is more corrosion-resistant.

Stainless will gall (seize under load) if the threads are dry so a good hi-temp anti-seize is needed. Which goes back to MrMerlin's point: new bolts of any sort with a good anti-seize should work just fine.

Nicholbry

My local Fastenall is anything but helpful....they much prefer to deal with accounts that order in bulk than the off-the-street chum with a bolt in his hand. Thanks, nonetheless for trying to help.

I've been doing some reading up on the stainless steel only to come to the same conclusion as you guys that "stainless will gall". If I had only checked back here before spending a couple hours searching the internet I could have saved myself some time.......I should've known better, right? You guys are always "on the ball".

I appreciate you guys for replying so quickly.

6.0-928S

Call these guys. I use them all the time. Prices are right, they have package deals, & they'll sell you one nut if that's what you need.
http://www.totallystainless.com/

Regards, Hammer

Nicholbry

Awesome Hammer; looks like they also carry the Grade 8 in stainless steel. Thanks for the tip.

I will have to give them a call tomorrow to see what they recommend for this application. I bought some bolts today in steel from an auto parts store (CarQuest), but a bit concerned afterwards as I didn't inquire about the grade while I was in there....a bit distracted I suppose.