The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Header Question

Hope this is the correct forum for this, I'm new to this board.
I am putting headers on the 250 in my 70 Chevy. I am replacing the bolts with studs to hold the manifold/headers on. My question is the two "alignment studs (guess that is what they are called)", do I need to take them out and replace them with a stud/bolt now that I have headers going on?

This truck is my first project in a while so I am rusty on this stuff. If it is recommended that I replace them with a stud, do they just twist out. BTW engin is still in the truck.

Thanks

Bill

I recommend replacing them with the short bolts that should come as part of your header kit, if you're buying the headers new.

A stud would work fine too. But the ends are easy to reach and tighten/loosen as needed. No need to do a stud just for better clamping on the ends, in my opinion.

-ftyler

The alignment pins are screwed in. Hit them with some penetrating oil a few times and allow them to soak for a day or so, then get out the vise-grips. If you have to use heat you will need to heat the head around the pin. Make a note that if you ever do this again to remove the exhaust manifold when the engine is hot, the bolts come out easier.

Mine came right, but had coolant behind them. I ended up with studs and thread sealer. I tryed headed bolts but they keep leaking coolant. Joe

Palf: Thanks for posting this question. I'll be doing this conversion myself this summer, and I wouldn't have thought of that until I was in it.

Thanks guys. Hopefully I'll get to swap them out soon. Just getting ready to start on a new workshop so, mods to the 70 will be on hold a short while, but I wanted to be ready when I get the time to get back on it.

Thanks again.

Get the motor good and hot after a hard day's driving. Take a block of parrafin canning wax and touch each of the bolts, studs, you want to take out. It will melt and suck right in. When you want them out they will come out easy.