Jim

thanks so much for the thorough report on this item.  my questions have
been answered :).  what i have been using around this neck of the woods is
the self locking M8, 12mm hex nuts that are general sold for rabbit/golf
applications.  they are steel plated with copper and have a stamped
locking ring on the end.  i have never had a problem with them coming
loose mostly just freezing on here in the midwest.  the 12mm hex gives you
a tiny bit more swinging room with a socket or wrench.

jonathan

On Thu, 12 Aug 2004, Jim Thompson wrote:

> This style of nut has been in constant use on VW exhaust systems since the
> 25hp air cooled days and when I can find them I use them because they work.
> Still available from the dealer as 311 101 463 (M8, 13mm hex).  This type
> you describe has never to the best of my experience and knowledge been
> available through metric fastener vendors when I had the parts biz running,
> I had to get them from the dealer (usually special order).  An acceptable
> alternative is a "Fuji Lock" 8mm nut, which I currently use on my 84 Westy.
> There are tiny metal tabs on one side of the nut that when torqued down
> would lock the nut in place to the threads.  When loosening the nut, the
> tabs would usually bend or break apart, rendering it's locking capabilities
> useless.  These are not easy to find as well from the local parts stores
> either, I just happened to have a bag of them in my stash from my biz days.
>
> The reason for either style nut being made the way they are is to lock them
> in place so they don't come loose.  If you use regular 8mm nuts with split
> or wavy lockwashers, the heat virtually desintegrates the washers, thus
> making loose nuts (apropose [sic?] for the VW world in general I think :-)
>
> The regular 8mm nut is VW N01100818
>
> Jim Thompson
> 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> oldvolkshome@earthlink.net
> jim@karmannghia.com
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> ***********************
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jonathan Farrugia" <jfarrugi@UMICH.EDU>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2004 3:20 AM
> Subject: exhaust nuts
>
>
> > so a week or so ago i had the chance to take apart a 1.9 wasserboxer
> > exhaust with the factory exhaust system on it.  or i assume it was since
> > the van is from arizona.  anyhow the exhaust nuts mounting the headers to
> > the heads were unlike any that i have seen before.  they are 13mm nuts
> > with what look like wound spring steel inserts inside them.  similar to
> > what a helicoil looks like.  if these are factory nuts are they still
> > available at the dealer or would the dealer hand me some regular nuts with
> > a N part number?  additionally does anyone know why these nuts were made
> > like this?  i would guess something to do with the thermal expansion
> > differences between the aluminum head and the steel of the header and
> > stud.
> >
> > jonathan
>
>