I don't want to re-use my old gasket as I had a leak in it and just thought a new one would be cheap insurance.

Talk about price shock.... I won't be replacing the studs with MB OEM. There are 6 of them at $55.00 a piece for 4 and $22.00 for the other two for a grand total of $264.00 for 6 studs.... YIKES...

I hear and understand the issue of over torquing because of the limited thread engagement at the head, which I am sure is fine at the factory with very strict parameters, but now not knowing the torque and probably a tendancy to over torque most things I was wondering this:

Has anyone used a different aftermarket stud? It seems the threaded part that goes into the head could be longer, ie the hole in the head is deeper than the thread is long. And I would think deeper than what would be required for any elongation (if that is even a consideration) of the bolt through heating and cooling?

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1982 300SD
1992 190e 2.3 8v
2002 P38 Range Rover