In a message dated 9/5/2001 6:01:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Re: Exhaust Question

       Hi Raul, the way to dampen the stress between the joints is as we do 
with the STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust System.  We use a fibre 
doughnut gasket, between the joints, with a steel insert which is about 1/2" 
longer than the thickness of the doughnut gasket allowing 1/4" to protrude 
from either end.  The fibre gasket reduces the vibration stress between the 
joints and the metal inset keeps the gasket from being dislocated and from 
undue compression which causes the flange bolts to loosen and the fibre 
gasket to then burn up form escaping hot exhaust gases.  The fibre doughnut 
gaskets are readily available and any FLAPS and any muffler shop can cut and 
install the inserts for you.  The bolts should not have any type of spring 
locking washer but instead should have a locking nut.  We have been 
unsuccessful in finding all metal SS locking nuts and have been using SS 
nylock ones with success.  Seems the nylon melts and keeps the nut from 
coming loose.  They of course cannot be reused one taken apart, so you should 
get yourself extras just in case.

Cheers�

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event in Almonte, ON, June 2002
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: Vanagon List, LiMBO, IWCCC & Capital City VW Club 
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers �
Frank Condelli & Associates or http://frankcondelli.com

 

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