Answers below!

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Clint Kolda
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 2:12 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 3 really easy exhaust questions.

The other day I noticed that I have an exhaust leak.  Hopefully fixing
this will help bring up the average in Rocket's MPG survey. J  I'm
replacing the left rear exhaust manifold gasket (the one under the water
pump) on my 2.1.  I have 3 really trivial questions:

  1)       The gasket I got at the dealer has one metal side and the other
side is gasket material.  Which side goes against the engine and which is
toward the exhaust pipe?
Metal side to pipe!
  2)      Is the correct bolt size M8 x 30mm?  Unfortunately one of the
holes is stripped.  I'm hoping it is a 20mm bolt and substituting a 30mm
one solves the problem.
Yes!

  3)      What is the correct torque for the bolts?
Depends on bolt quality and never seize use. ~10-12 ft lbs.

The real trick is to find out why the gasket failed. Other wise you are
just wasting the gasket and time. Of course a loose bolt is a likely
cause. Look carefully at the flange. If it is bent, plan to remove the
pipe and file the flange on the engine side to make it flat again. This is
especially common on the Dankse pipes.

  Thanks,
Clint

Dennis