383 Valve covers - Studs and bolts

[Chrome58]

Hi everyone,

I'm just curious.
Why is there 8 bolts and 4 studs (with nuts) on the valve covers assembly to the block ?
Do the studs serve a purpose ?

Thank you.

 

[detmatt]

I’m guessing it was as simple as the studs acting as locating pins speeding up initial assembly.

 

[volksworld]

judging by stuff i have sitting around here i think they went to all bolts by 70 or so but my 68 has the 4 nuts and studs...tried to use all bolts and on one head the bolt bottomed out before it was tight...ran a tap into it, same result...so i made up 4 studs

 

[413]

Around 1960/61 they used all studs and nuts. No corner fasteners then.

1970 still used studs on corners.

my machinist always takes out the studs and I never see them again. WHY? To get it all clean, he says I should take them out if I want them back.