Is there an easy way to find out if a head stud has snapped?

 

The way I would do it would be to check during a valve adjustment. You have the valve covers off anyway. With the covers off, you can check the torque (tightness) of every head stud. If a stud is broken, you will feel it move freely.

Are you having specific problems or is this a theoretical question?

 

Wthatnks for the reply. At the moment there is a sound like part of the exhaust is blown when under load. I'm thinking its a stud.