Is there any difference in torque specifications for stainless steel bolts when compared to the factory fasteners? My torque spec for the intake manifold is 23 lb/ft. Would this be the same with stainless steel bolts?

Most stainless steel bolts are at least grade 8, so you should be able to torque them to factory specifications without an issue.  I would suggest using anti-seize if you are installing them into aluminum heads, and a washer if using on aluminum intake manifold.  Joe-JDC

JDC

I have been told that ordinary SS bolts are not anywhere near grade 8.  In fact, one supplier that I have bought SS bolts from in the past has advertised their sale of special grade 8 hardware over their usual  SS products.  Based on their catalog info. they are from ARP.  The company is named Totally Stainless.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

At 23 lbs torque, would it be an issue?..


Paul

Good Morning folks
ARPinstructions.com | Kit Instructions and Torque Values
the above may help. I've used quite a lot of stainless fasteners on my project. You must use an anti seize they will gall/ cold weld. I have used copper slip but now use ARP Ultra Torque. 
I've used generally available stainless button heads on the body panels, they are really weak. Clamp a 5/16 in the vice and you can easily wring the head off.
I've used quite a bit of ARP stainless around the engine always used Ultra Torque.  I purchased most from this website  About Us | Alloy Boltz    untill I found they are available in the UK.
stuey 

I purchased the alloy boltz kit a while back. Reached out to them on ebay as well. They advised using anti sieze, which will lower the necessary torque. They recommended no more than 20lb/ft.

If your polishing the heads to make something “pretty” go a head and use them. I have with intakes, water pumps, radiator mounts, etc. but cover the shank when using on an aluminum manifold.   We found them at our salty air power plant to be fine when they needed to be removed occasionally and they always were coated with never seize the entire bolt. They were softer than grade 2 for torquing. I would look up a torque chart for the different grades before clamping anything at work.. we used silicon bronze also which a different PITA. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

I just looked up the strength on stainless steel bolts, and the minimum is 125,000 psi.  That is stronger than grade 5, which is quite sufficient for accessories on the engine.  There are grade 8 stainless bolts available in engine packages, and that is what I have used in the past.  If you order them, you can order them by grade.  Joe-JDC

JDC

I would go by torque specs - honestly, I would not use any ordinaryr stainless bolts in anything critical like brakes, front ends, main or rod bearings and the like unless they are specific high torque SS bolts.  I use ordinary SS bolts for intake, water pumps, etc with no problems.  The ARP bolts seem to be ok for high torque situations, as long as ARP says high torque.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ