valve covers-studs or bolts?

[racerxjj67]

I have recently heard of people using studs to hold their valve covers on instead of the bolts. They say among other things, is that it's easier to put the gaskets on without them sliding around and ending up misaligned and get a better seal. Plus, it's less likely to over tighten and crack the covers.

Opinions, comments, rants... I'm listening.

[71nova]

Its the best 10 dollar investment i ever made, i had only trouble with bolts and screwing up gaskets. i would recommend it.

[HWORRELL]

I would agree with studs, but ya can still overtighten, Only draw back would be with studs ya might run into valve cover removal problems if ya got a tight engine bay......And I might add that when ever possible I use the gaskets that have metal sandwiched in em.....

[76GMC1500]

$10, way too expensive. Buy some bolts and cut the heads off or use a piece of threaded stock. You could do this one for $2, and that's with stainless.

[racerxjj67]

I had never considered using studs before, didn't think you could for what ever reason. But now, I'm seriously looking into it.

Thanks

[Stu Cool]

In addition to studs, you can also use wingnuts. Desses up the motor and also makes valve cover removal quick and simple if you have valves that need frequent adjustment. These are Moroso, but there are numerous on the market

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...84&prmenbr=361

Pat

[viking]

Studs over bolts ? absolutely, I use em everywhere possible on my engines, ease of gasket installation is one thing, another is more exact torquing

[stepside454]

If it were me, my time is worth more than $8.00 to cut heads off bolts.. I have the stud set..I lik em

[racerxjj67]

I assume i can buy a stud kit at any auto supply store. It wouldn't be a special order item, correct. Are there any that are better than the other i.e. ARP?

[tcodi]

this might be a dumb question, but since there is nothing on a stud to grab onto with a wrench, are you just supposed to screw those things in with your fingers as far as they go, and then place the part (valve cover, etc) over them and screw on nut?

[stepside454]

I sometimes lok-tite the studs in....when I tighten em, I stack 2 nuts , tighten the stud in , & than remove the nuts

[76GMC1500]

Screw them in by hand. If one ever gets stuck, just put 2 nuts on it, jam them together, and wrench off of one of the nuts.

[tcodi]

cool,
thanks

[Seon]

Stud threads are normally machined oversize so it'd fit tight in the threaded piece. You can install the studs using a "double" nuts if you don't have a stud driver. A little locktite will help prevent the studs from backing out when you back the nut off when removing the valve covers.