Needed to change the manfiold gasket on the driver's side. Keeping the stock manifold but replacing the bolts for obvious reasons (rust, etc.) Should I...

get Grade 8 bolts?
get Grade 5 bolts?
get regular old black oxide 'exhaust' bolts?

While Grade 8's are among the strongest you can get, wouldn't they snap alot easier over many heat cycles than a bolt of lesser strength that would flex or stretch a little more? Or am I misunderstanding?

Advice is appreciated and thanks again!

 

They're not special or anything, you can pick some new ones up at a hardware store if you want. I believe the stockers are grade 8, but not sure. Just take the old bolts with you and get the same size, since there are 2 different lengths. Threads are 3/8-16 I think. Or go to the dealer and get the acual bolts, but it might cost you.

And you don't really have to worry about flex if you're keeping the stock manifolds on there. They don't really flex much. Check which grade the stock bolts are and get the same. 3 lines on the head means grade 5, 6 lines means grade 8. Have fun with the back bolts, those are a PITA.

 

Thanks, I suppose it really won't matter all that much since I plan to keep an eye on them for as long as I own the car.... use anti-seize when they go back in, soak them down with the Blaster every so often for the heck of it, etc.
I'll just run to Lowe's and pick up some Grade 5s or whatever they have that will work. And you're right, I'm pretty sure they're 3/8-16 so they can be had from almost anywhere that sells fasteners.

 

The are in fact 3/8-16.