2017 ram 2500 broken manifold bolts

RustyRatRod said

So what happens here? Do the manifold bolts "JUST" break? For no apparent reason? Seriously? When there are vehicles running around 60 plus years old with the original bolts everywhere? That's just stupid.

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Yes Rusty, that is stupid. OEMs in their quest to save weight and money pretty much all went to 8mm exhaust manifold bolts. The General has a problem with the LS and 3.6 V6 breaking the exhaust manifold bolts. Drill and tap for 3/8" UNC or 10mm would likely cure the problem.
Weight per vehicle is minor, but an ounce or 2 here and another ounce or 2 there adds up. IMHO the big issue for OEMs is material. Just the volume difference in steel between 8mm and the old faithful 3/8" and it will not take many engines and the bolt material for an engine is free. Consider how many V8 engines the big 2 1/2 manufacture every year and that becomes a big $ saving. As customers it is a huge piss off as we end up out of pocket for the repair. Even when we can do it ourselves it is the $for new bolts and time. If I have to remove bolts to replace the gasket or get to the broken bolt, they all get replaced.
My 2000 Dakota with 3.9 has a couple of broken bolts and the dealer said the bolts would be $150CDN. I figure I play the BS card on that!