The donut gaskets allow the exhaust system to flex without losing the seal
of the system as the engine torques, as you go over bumps in the road, and
the like.  You don't have to use them -- there's probably more than a few
folks out there that don't.  The worst I could see happening is the bolts
stripping or sheering as the system flexes.  Or a flange letting go due to
the fatigue of repeated flexing.

When I redid my exhaust in June, I ordered new donut gaskets for the
connections between the j-pipe and cat, and j-pipe and y-flange.  At both
connections I used longer stainless steel bolts, a #10 SS washer, a stiff
spring I found at a mom-and-pop hardware store, stainless steel bolt and
locknut.  If you look in the Bentley manual you'll see there's somekind of
spring-washer setup for the connections I mentioned.  I couldn't find them
-- dealers, list vendors, muffler shops, etc., didn't have them.  The ones
I made will keep the exhaust tight thru any flexing and the donuts will
maintain an unbroken seal thru the flex range.  That, in a nutshell, is the
goal.

My $0.02...  Hope this helps.  Various and sundry disclaimers apply.  See
store for details.  Hurry.  Supplies are limited.

Alan Bosch
& Phred ('88 Wolfsburg)

Rob Keener <keener@MEZZALUNA.NET>@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> on 09/05/2001 11:50:26
AM

Please respond to Rob Keener <keener@MEZZALUNA.NET>

Sent by:  Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>

To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:

Subject:  Exhaust Question

I replaced the  connection pipe between the Exhaust Elbow and the Cat.
Converter last night and  these Donut Gaskets came out - These would not
fit with the new pipe - Is this  ok not to use these?

What's the worst  case?

Rob Keener
keener@mezzaluna.net

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY  INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS - ONLY
RISK CAPITAL SHOULD BE USED FOR SPECULATION.