In a message dated 5/3/2002 12:24:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
> Muffler Brackets
The muffler brackets are just part of the problem/solution. The <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm">
STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers</A> I sell come with their own integral
mounting brackets that are designed to give some suspension to the muffler
thereby reducing the stress on the connections throughout the system. The
other part of the solution is to use fibre doughnut gaskets between all the
connections except for the header pipes to collector connections. This helps
to reduce the stress at the connection and reduces flange to pipe cracking.
Using steel doughnut gaskets or flat gaskets as OEM equipment uses will lead
to failure of the pipe to flange connection. All the STEBRO/Vanagon Mufflers
and J-pipes come with loose flanges that require the use of doughnut gaskets
for this reason.
All that said, the fibre doughnut gaskets present their own problems.
They seem to fail from burnout quite frequently. Part of the problem being
that they compress over time and you will need to re-tighten the flange bolts
frequently. If the bolts are not kept tight then the burnout of the gasket
occurs more quickly. We have tried installing metal sleeves inside the
doughnut gaskets thinking that would reduce the compression somewhat, that
made them last awhile longer but did not solve the problem altogether. We
are now experimenting with using a high temp silicon RTV gasket sealant on
the doughnuts to see it that will remedy the problem. At any rate changing
the doughnut gaskets now and then is a much lesser PITA than changing cracked
pipes and mufflers. Using the stainless steel flange bolts and nuts we
supply make it a very simple job to replace the gaskets.
You will notice on the <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm">STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust System</A>
website that we are no longer supplying the gaskets for the above reasons.
There is a lengthy list of recommended gaskets to try. The prices of the
mufflers and J-pipes have been adjusted because of this. We have also
adjusted the price of the mufflers and J-pipes to show their cost without
shipping. Shipping is now added after you make an order dependant on how
many pieces you order. See the website for complete details.
Cheers
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm">BusFusion</A> a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, May 30, 31, June 1, 2, 2002
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: <A HREF="http://www.vanagon.com/">Vanagon List</A>, <A HREF="http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/">LiMBO</A>, <A HREF="http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/CIW_English.asp">IWCCC</A> & Capital City VW Club
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm">STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers</A>
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html">Frank Condelli & Associates</A> or http://frankcondelli.com
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