Copper or silicon bronze (Everdur) might be good-if you can find metric in N. America.

From: Tom Boldway <jboldway@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 12:09 AM
Subject: Exhaust bolts studs nuts to prevent future corrosion problems

Actually the subject is about exhaust nuts to use but I figured the word bolts & studs would be better for searching. It was a real bear on my old camper getting the totally rusted out bolts off the studs. I helped remove a cracked exhaust manifold on a friend's 1979 Alfa Romeo and the nuts came right off - no rust. Why? They use Brass nuts, they are more expensive but avoid the corrosion problems. I don't know if these would fit the Vanagon at all but here's an example: http://www.international-auto.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=2451&posid=849460

They are 8x1.0mm - does anybody know what the size is for the vanagon?

Tom
'84 Westy "Spiny Norman"
'86 Alfa Spider "Dinsdale"
and a few more . . . ..