In a message dated 9/5/01 12:35:59 PM, arbosch@RA.ROCKWELL.COM writes:

<< 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. >>

I recently worked on the exhaust of my 90 Westy and when assembling it, I
used the old metal doughnuts which never seem to wear out, and I replaced all
hardware with metric stainless except for the studs that were in the heads. I
used about six SS spring washers (like a little potato chip with a hole)  and
a slightly longer bolt to approximate the set up illustrated in Bentley. I
wonder if even more spring washers, and maybe on two of the three bolts,
would help to dampen the flexing?

Raul Cisneros, NY
87 Syncro W Westy
90 Westy