Just curious; why are you replacing the head = studs in the first place?

 

Fair question I'd say!  The short answer is = "I don't live in California."  That is to say I live with the = nasty four-letter word here in the rustbelt. Some of the 6-point nuts have = erroded into NO-points and are one-in-the-same as the threadless stud.  = Also, the PO appanently tried to get a couple off and broke them leaving = me with studs that dont even pass thru the exhaust flange--much less having = any exposed thread to put a nut on. My *plan* is to back the studs out = with a small pipewrench if possible, but you know how plans can foul.  = I'd say this exhaust bit is one of the reasons I picked up a running,decent = 84 westy/7 passenger for a song. These studs will be a booger! My whole = neighborhood will smell like liquid wrench soon!

Jay

    Vanagon = newbie here. My 84 exhaust replacement(NO local shop would touch) will = involve replacing the head studs. The real bear is removing the old = crusty exhaust and breaking/drilling/tapping etc to prep the heads for = new studs. Here are my Q's:

1. Do the heads some = off and out with the engine IN? I could do a great job if I had the = heads on the bench! I'll probably botch something if I drill the heads = while in the bus. I almost think it'd be worth dropping the whole = motor if the heads alone dont come. I've done the drop on my 77 a couple times...looks~ similar. Opinions?

2. Where can I order = stainless studs and hardware from? Stud size?(if oversize not neccessary)

3. I am just beginning to = learn/read about head and head gasket woes on these beasts. Would = it be recommended to replace the heads and/or gaskets = if I pull them? (even with unknown bottom-end mileage/wear?)

Thanks to all! I just got my = first H20 van last week and I'll be much more *take* than *give* while I = learn. Please bear with me. I'm excited to have my new exhaust (from = BD) and have sprayed it with BBQ paint to hopefully avoid instarust! I = hope to do this right!

Jay

schmidt5@hsonline.net

...The bus came by and I got on. That's when = it all began...