2002 F53 with V10 and broken manifold studs

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RTimothy - 21 Jul 2009 22:27 GMT

I'm told that the only long term fix for broken manifold studs on 2002 F53
V10 is to replace the cast iron ford manifolds
with after market headers.
I did some searching and after market headers are not bolt on options. They
require a whole new exhaust system, which then requires better breathing,
which then requires a new computer chip and on and on it goes.
The parts are $2700 and then $800 labor IF there are no complications
removing the broken studs.
I have 62,000 great miles on our motorhome.
I'm wondering if the insides of the original manifolds can be smoothed out
and have the two broken studs replaced will result in another 60,000 miles.
If so, I'd be happy. Any advice or suggestions?

Tim fm CT

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Nate Nagel - 22 Jul 2009 02:07 GMT

> I'm told that the only long term fix for broken manifold studs on 2002
> F53 V10 is to replace the cast iron ford manifolds
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Tim fm CT

I'm not sure what smoothing the manifold would get you other than better
exhaust flow; it certainly won't make the studs last any longer. But if
you wanna go that route, why not get them ceramic coated as well so they
look cool :)

Have you tried ARP or similar aftermarket automotive fastener suppliers?
they may have a better-than-OEM solution for you.

nate

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None4U - 23 Jul 2009 06:52 GMT

>> I'm told that the only long term fix for broken manifold studs on 2002
>> F53 V10 is to replace the cast iron ford manifolds
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> nate

Why not just replace the studs with harder studs or get grade 8 bolts or
other hardware and put them in.

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RTimothy - 24 Jul 2009 03:33 GMT

>>> I'm told that the only long term fix for broken manifold studs on 2002
>>> F53 V10 is to replace the cast iron ford manifolds
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> Why not just replace the studs with harder studs or get grade 8 bolts or
> other hardware and put them in.

Thanks for your reply:
Not being one to do the job, I've relied on the places where I have work
done.
Different hardware had not been mentioned. Plus this is the first time
for this.
I thought the Aluminum block and dissimilar metals for studs and then cast
iron head and excessive
heat on the passenger side caused the studs to simply break down, ie; the
nuts eventually fall/break
off.
The left side manifold looks very good. The materials are the same on both
sides Is the variable excessive
heat on the right side?
Tim fm CT

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RT - 24 Jul 2009 18:50 GMT

Thanks for your replies:
Here's what I did. Mechanic said he MAY
be able to remove and replace the two broken studs. After finding the price
of headers, exhaust etc. I deccided to fix the studs.
Turns out a few more were very corroded
and just tapping on one caused another to have the nut break off.
So, decided to pull the manifold and check them all. Six out of ten were
bad/broken. Replaced them all, put in new gaskets and I'm good to go. Also,
the left side manifold and nuts and studs look great.
My wife has some kind of coupon with her
food store and we can 20 -30 cents off a gallon (20 gallons at a time) So, I
filled it with 93 octane for our week-end trip to m/c races in Maryland.
What the heck. I'll see what happens.
Thanks again,
Tim fm CT

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RTimothy - 24 Jul 2009 03:17 GMT

Nate,
Yes, I kind of switched "gears" in the middle of my post.
Would smoothing out the stock manifolds improve engine performance?
Tim fm CT.

>> I'm told that the only long term fix for broken manifold studs on 2002
>> F53 V10 is to replace the cast iron ford manifolds
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> nate

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