[wkooiman]

I started using set screws for valve cover studs, after seeing them on a friend's race car. You don't really need high strength ARP studs with coarse/fine threads, and the coarse threads allow you to tighten them with more friction on the nut w/out collapsing the gasket.

I used to use ARP studs on the pan, but they kept backing out. I don't recall what I have on the pan right now. I know I tried using studs with silicone on the threads, but that was a long time ago, and I haven't been under that car in a while, so I just don't remember. The Cobra has bolts from a previous owner.

Sorry to ramble, just thought I'd provide a data point on studs vs. bolts.