Head stud question of the day - with pictures!!

[Ho Hum 74]

Hi again,

History:
2.7 MFI, 9.8:1 JEs, #3 big end bearing failure, 7R case

I was trying to figure out which head studs I have. A magnet sticks very well to them and they have black epoxy coating. Some of this coating has worn off, some is chipped, some is bubbling or peeling. See picture.

What to do? Replace with 993 studs? I'm a bit concerned with replacing the studs because I might damage the case inserts (casesavers or timeserts - don't know which).

Can I just re-paint these studs and be done with it or should I pull and replace? The studs lasted longer than the bearing so I at least know they were relatively strong.

Tristan

[afterburn 549]

Well we might as well get this started...just replace the studs with the steel ones as a matter of course,you will sleep better and if the inserts are screwed up you will find out.....better now then later

[john walker's workshop]

they can't be real dilivars if they attract a magnet. the new steel studs from the aftermarket suppliers are painted gray, so maybe someone painted them black. they don't really need to be painted.

[jgparker]

The new 993 steel head studs do not come with any coating, so Porsche does not think it's necessary to painting them anymore. Dilivar is a different story. Those look like Time-Serts to me.

Good luck,

JP

[konish]

I just purchased some factory head studs that are steel (I'm assuming here since they are magnetic), and they have the epoxy coating on them as well. The source I purchased them from said they came from some old dealer stock...so who knows. Either way, if they are steel, I'm not sure I'd worry about doing anything to them...

R/
Dustin

[Ho Hum 74]

Thanks to everyone who responded. But a couple of questions remain:

1. John: Engine was rebuilt in '99. Not sure what the studs looked like then (black or grey or bare metal). If they are steel, should I just leave 'em? PS. John, I just love that GW quote, it's one of my favorites!

2. JG Parker: Can you explain how to tell the difference between timeserts and casesavers and if they are timeserts do I need to get them changed to casesavers?

3. Afterburn: I believe these are steel (they attract a magnet) - do they look like Dilivar to you?

Thanks
Tristan

[jgparker]

Triston,

Case-savers are just a little bigger. Here is a picture.



The safest thing to do is to have time-serts replaced with case savers, but just how critical this is could be debated. I had my 2.8 timeserts replaced, but they were very crooked, and really were an issue.

Good luck,

JP