Author Topic: Exhaust Studs  (Read 1174 times)

MikeSimon

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Exhaust Studs
« on: December 20, 2022, 14:13:12 »
I have a friend who has a 280SE/M130 with one exhaust stud in the head coming lose. Thread in the head is somewhat damaged. It is next to impossible to drill and put a helicoil or timesert in to repair the thread with the head installed. Was thinking of using a bonding/adhesive. Does anybody have a recommendation for something that would work. Steel/aluminum bond under high temp?
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Harry

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Re: Exhaust Studs
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2022, 15:09:00 »
Hello Mike,

My experience has consistently been that no adhesive is going to be adequate in that application.  Simply too much heat.  The helicoil is the way to go.  It's just unfortunate that getting the required access is such a problem.

Harry
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David Robinson

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Re: Exhaust Studs
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2022, 15:28:02 »
While I agree with Harry you could try one of the J-B Extreme Heats Weld pastes. Might buy you some time.

mdsalemi

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Re: Exhaust Studs
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2022, 16:39:29 »
I have a friend who has a 280SE/M130 with one exhaust stud in the head coming lose. Thread in the head is somewhat damaged. It is next to impossible to drill and put a helicoil or timesert in to repair the thread with the head installed. Was thinking of using a bonding/adhesive. Does anybody have a recommendation for something that would work. Steel/aluminum bond under high temp?

Can the thread be "chased" at all with a tap? Or is access so severely limited that this is an issue too? If the threads can be chased, maybe your friend could use something like this?

https://www.vibra-tite.com/threadlockers/high-strength-threadlockers/hot-lock-extreme-high-temperature-threadlocker/

It's indicated up to 2000 degrees...turbocharger and exhaust bolts. Worth a try, right?
Michael Salemi
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ja17

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Re: Exhaust Studs
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2022, 05:35:38 »
These holes for the studs are very close to the water jacket, so you need to be careful with drilling out the holes and installing inserts. I would try to find a longer stud and cut some threads a little furhter up on the stud so it grabs some good threads at the end of the hole. Heli-coil inserts can be installed with the head on if you have all the right tools. keeping your new hole straight and perpendicular to the head will be the challenge. There are some drill guides which can help you do that. A three fluted drill bit also helps keep itself on center. Spend some time researching on Youtube. Almost anything can be found!
Joe Alexander
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MikeSimon

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Re: Exhaust Studs
« Reply #5 on: December 21, 2022, 13:04:34 »
  Worth a try, right?

Definitely! Thanks, Mike. What I was looking for! A generous amount of that stuff to fill, may be the solution.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
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Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

stickandrudderman

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Re: Exhaust Studs
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2022, 09:35:27 »
Once you remove the manifolds access is pretty good so I would always go for the timecert option myself.