Stripped Exhaust Stud. Help!!!

[cwilkie]

I think I may have stripped one of the studs on my driver side exhaust manifold on my 396. I am hoping it's just the brass nut I used but if it isn't what are my options. The motor is already lowered and bolted to the frame and transmission. I was trying to finish it up when one of the brass nuts would not grab anymore. Does the whole manifold need to be taken off to be repaired or can it be fixed with the motor in the truck? Please let me know because I think I am SOL...

Chance

[71swb4x4]

You can drive the old stud out and install a new one. I think you could do it while the manifold is installed, but it would probably be a lot easier if you pull it out, and you have less risk of damaging anything else.

[Tx Firefighter]

Chances are very good that the brass nut gave up it's threads before the steel stud did.

[Fred T]

Try running a steel nut on. If that doesn't work, you need to replace the stud, best done with the manifold off the vehicle.

[qksilver]

How do the threads look on the nut, I can't see how a brass nut could strip the threads on steel, but I guess anything is possible. I use brass nuts but get the ones that are about 1/2 long rather than the short ones. If you use a steel nut you will pay for it, maybe, down the road.
If you have to replace the stud, pulling the manifold is a pain but easier to use heat so the stud doesn't break off flush

[cwilkie]

I crawled under my truck and inspected it and the first 1/4in of the thread is stripped. However, the rest of the stud is in good shape. I do have a small spacer inside the pipe being used as a fitting because the pipe is a little larger than the exhaust opening. So I am hoping when I bring it in to get some new exhaust on it I can get the correct size pipe to fit my truck and hopefully the spacer will no longer be needed and thus eliminating that 1/4 which is stripped.

HOWEVER...

If that does not work where and how can I replace the stud on my exhaust manifold? Do muffler/exhaust shops perform this procedure? I feel like such a dumb@ss for doing this to my recently sandblasted and coated exhaust manifolds. But I like to do things myself and I guess that includes screwing up from time to time. I guess that's how a person learns.

Chance

[qksilver]

I put them in a vice, use a torch to heat around the stud, not the stud directly then use a stud remover on it. Twist it back and forth a little until it moves fairly freely then back the stud out. If you do it all at once when you first heat it you can twist the stud apart

[cwilkie]

Not to sound like a helpless punk but do exhaust shops do this replacement when they install a new exhaust from front to rear? If, not can I find the tools to do this at a local tool shop.

Chance