While reinstalling a valve cover, I first cleaned the valve cover attachment holes in head, dried, applied Locktite, screwed the studs in all the way. Installed same thickness gasket and same cast Alum valve cover. The tops of the studs look like Torx and that part was all that was sticking out. No threads exposed to start a nut. Apparently, the studs are too short and prev mech only theaded them into head a couple of turns so he could get a nut started. Found some ARP 1/4-20 1.5" OAL that should work but really wanting
some like the ones I removed that have a Torx looking end instead of a bullet shape where nut goes on. The Tork looking ones fit a 5/32 6-point socket perfectly so I can screw them into head tight enough they won't loosen. I could double-nut them in but wanted to first see if anyone knows where I can get the Tork looking ones. The pic is one of the orig ( too short) studs. So far I've tried Summit, Jegs, Amazon, Ebay, Fastenall, McMaster-Carr and most of the internet. I've seen these type studs many times in the past but now they're like unicorn eggs.

McMaster carr.
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/set-screws/thread-size~1-4-20/material~stainless-steel

Look up set screws.
Click on flat bottom.
Then choose material. Stainless is good.
Then thread size.
Then length.

I get them with allen head type so they are easy to screw in.

i used arp carb stud kits, the black anodized work great and come in diff lengths for diff setups, come in sets of 4

aren’t carb studs 5/16?

Probably the only pale you will find those exact studs is at the Chevy dealer and they will probably be the same length. Those type of studs are used in a lot of new cars but most of them are metric.

Personally I would just get allen head setscrews like SB said.

Ill measure some oil pan studs in the morning at the shop. They are the same type.

they have them in all lengths..
https://arpstore.com/collections/val...e-12-pt-head-3

I’m aware of the lengths. I’m saying the diameter and thread pitch for carb studs is 5/16-18, valve cover holes in the heads are 1/4-20. So they won’t work for valve covers.
ARP will sell nearly any size bolt or stud. It’s easier to look it up on their site and then look up the part number with summit

Thx for the feedback guys.

The orig studs weren't threaded all the way as can be seen in pic. When I "bottomed them out", I was actually running out of thread on the stud. Went out and measured the cyl head hole depth and got 0.6" on all 7 holes. Then measured gasket plus valve cover and got another 0.6".

Found some Moroso "Oval Track" studs @ Summit that measure 1.75" OAL.This should give me 1/2" of thread protruding out top side of valve cover. Plenty for a washer/lock-nut. Unlike most of the other Moroso studs, these have the internal hex on top end so an allen wrench can be used to drive them in. They come with nylon lock-nuts and washers too. You have to look at the reviews to see where it says they have the provision to use an allen wrench.

The 1/4-20 Set Screws at McMaster seem to stop at 1.5" OAL which would be cutting it close. BTW, I'm running a 5/16" thick cork gasket to clear aftermarket (Crower) valve train with M/T cast alum valve covers on rectangle port Merlin heads.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-68820

Here is 1/4-20 x 2” stainless set screws.


I use set screws for tons of things. Easy to find too. Just use search term of set screw and the size/thread and kength you want.

Thx for that Billk. I just ordered a set of Moroso studs from Summit. Actually ordered 4 sets. One for now and 3 for whenever I get around to doing the others. I should have known they were OEM and suspect you're correct abt most being metric and probably too short since I'm running a 5/16" cork gasket with these cast valve covers. I'd be curious to know what length the OEM oil pan studs are but wouldn't want you go out of your way.