I hide my 12 pts. just to prevent rounding. 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: craig cowan 
  To: Cullen Stewart 
  Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com 
  Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2008 10:36 AM
  Subject: Re: Exhaust studs

  If they have 6 flat sides, make sure your socket does too! 
  This is really the time to invest in a 6 point socket if all you have is 12pts......

  If you actually have nuts/bolts, with heads, you 'should' be good. I've seen these things rust to the point where they look like rusted rivets, there's simply no head left on them what so ever. 

  -Craig
  '85Westy
  '80 Convertible Vanagon

  On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 10:27 AM, Cullen Stewart <cullberly@vermontel.net> wrote:

    None of the bolts/ studs are very rusty. They all have 6 flat sides and the PO said the engine had been replaced 30K before I bought it, so about 60K ago these were replaced. Does the condition on the outside reflect the condition of the threads?

     ----- Original Message -----
     From: Bill Shawley
     To: Cullen Stewart ; vanagon list
     Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2008 10:25 PM
     Subject: RE: Exhaust studs

     Dude I was terrified to replace my exhaust after studying the archives and list,  I sprayed with PB a few nights and knocked on what I could get to with a hammer lightly.  No problems with the replacement and the difference betweent the beat generic exhaust and the fresh OEM is night and day.  Go slow and own it brother!

     Ryan

     > Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:42:33 -0400
     > From: cullberly@VERMONTEL.NET
     > Subject: Exhaust studs
     > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
     >
     > I have just replaced the intermediate pipe on my Westy and the stress of removing the old one has caused a crack in a primary pipe at the flange. Now it is time to tackle replacing the whole system. What sort of hell am I entering by pulling the exhaust bolts from the heads? So far I have only scrubbed them off with a brass brush and sprayed them with PB blaster a few times. Will heating the bolts with just a propane torch loosen the stubborn bolts or should I have the neighborhood welder hit them with the oxy torch?

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