Today I'm putting this thing back together. It's cold and windy out, but not snowing yet. Anyway, the urgency of the situation is really there.

I'm talking about the connection between the exhaust manifold to the downpipe. Non-turbo. When I took it apart a month ago, there were two studs in the manifold and one bolt holding the manifold and downpipe together. I wanted to be original so I got another stud fromthe dealer. Was like $8, and that was the wholesale price. THen bought 3 stover lock nuts from nut and bolt place because new volvo nuts were $30 for all three. Have new Volvo gasket too.

Problem is now that all the studs are too short! There's like 2 threads exposed after mating the downpipe flange and I can't get the nuts threaded. I can't believe this is happening. Makes no sense, because how did it hold together before? And I can't loosen the studs out of the manifold either. If I could, I will just get some new bolts from home depot and use lockwashers to keep them from backing out.

Guys, this is an emergency.