How to install exhaust studs??

Is there a good way to install new exhaust studs without using a stud installation tool? Any tips or tricks from you experienced KZ-ers out there?
Thanks!

you might try putting one nut on about halfway down the thread then spin a second one down to meet it to form a locknut. Then just use the outside (2nd) nut to turn the whole screw into place. Check your torque specs though.

theres your answer;)

That's exactly what my first thought was (well, right after using vise grips that is!!:silly: ). Do you think the threads will be OK using two nuts locked together? Should I also use some loctite on the head side?

yeah you just hold the bottem nut in place and tighten top nut till it bottems then turn it in,reverse process to remove nut.ive never used lock tite on studs going into the head,but a little anti seize is a good idea to keep from seizing

Before you do anything, make sure you have the correct end going into the head. Most double-ended studs have the thread at one end slightly oversized to bite better in the head. If you attempt to put a nut on a stud, it should go on easily at one end, and be too tight at the other end - that's the end to go into the head.

Double nutting the stud to insert it is OK, but try and use thick nuts with as many threads as possible - some of the nuts are too thin and will stress or strip the threads.

Thanks for all of the tips. I'll make sure I install the correct end in the head and also make sure that I use thick nuts.

Jeff - any opinion on the loctite? I've heard some people say to use it, and others say no. I just don't want the stud to back out when the nut is removed.
Thanks

So far I've never needed to use loctite - although it probably won't hurt.

I would run a tap down the thread to clean it up before inserting a new stud.