Stainless bolts for exhaust manifolds?

[Danny_Ocean]

Can I use stainless bolts for exhaust manifolds? Will they take 35 lbs. of torque, or must I use steel Grade 5/8? Do they make Grade 5/8 stainless bolts? <br /><br />Thanks in advance, <br /><br />D. Ocean <br />Pompano Beach, FLA

 

[dmorley]

Re: Stainless bolts for exhaust manifolds?

Danny,<br />Osco advises against using stainless and any grade bolt lower than grade 5. They claim they will not hold their torque. In fact Osco includes grade 5 bolts with their manifolds.

 

[Danny_Ocean]

Re: Stainless bolts for exhaust manifolds?

Right. I recall reading that plain stainless bolts will have too much stretch, but was wondering if there were grade 5 or grade 8 stainless bolts available. I hate to put regular bolts on new manifolds and have them get rusty after a few months.<br /><br />D. Ocean<br />Pompano Beach, FLA

 

[dmorley]

Re: Stainless bolts for exhaust manifolds?

Danny,<br />I don't know for sure if there are grade 5 stainless, but I don't think so as it is the alloy that makes stainless stainless and probably softens the metal. I suggest you check with your local hardware store (except Home Depo, their people don't know jack).

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Stainless bolts for exhaust manifolds?

Also, Danny, look in your yellow pages under "Bolts". You will likely have a bolt supplier in your area that deals in nothing but bolts and associated hardware. They would be an excellent source of information.

 

[Danny_Ocean]

Re: Stainless bolts for exhaust manifolds?

I don't know for sure if there are grade 5 stainless, but I don't think so as it is the alloy that makes stainless stainless and probably softens the metal. I suggest you check with your local hardware store (except Home Depot, their people don't know jack).

I've learned from my other favorite forum (www.corvetteforum.com) of a company (ARP - American Racing Products) that makes stainless steel bolts which are comparable to, and even stronger than, grade 8 bolts. Probably not gonna be cheap, though...<br /><br />Home Depot folks don't know jack? Gee...tell me something I don't already know...actually, to be fair, in the plumbing section of one of the Home Depot's I frequent, there is a guy who works for the city water department. He really knows his plumbing.<br /><br />D. Ocean<br />Pompano Beach, FLA