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Date:         Sun, 13 Feb 2011 17:45:36 -0500
Reply-To:     Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: General engine bolt/nut sizes
Comments: To: Joe Luther <jluther@ALFONS-HAAR.US>
In-Reply-To:  <7F096D08673D4E00A1A254135D74F212@alfonshaar.local>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

Fasteners are normally re-used as long as they're not corroded or stripped in any way. I have seen some very old VW washers crack upon re-use due to age-tempering/ work-hardening issues. I only made the 'out-thinking' comment because it's so typical of so many 'rebuilders's of VW's, more often than not. Yes, technology has advanced over the past few decades, but not too much in the areas you're considering. I'm an FAA-licensed, fully-experienced Airframe and Powerplant mechanic, and I can think of many improvements possible in the VW designs, including the types of fasteners used. Nylock nuts are not appropriate to high-temp applications like an engine. Check the specs and you'll see that. Only High-temp (all metal) locknuts are applicable there. Do you have access to 8mm, grade 8.8, all-metal locknuts? If so, use those, otherwise stock wavy washers and plain nuts are fine. Aviation hardware would be best, but is very expensive. Some hi-po builders use 'raceware' - http://www.raceware-fasteners.com/photo.htm) Don't be nervous, the case edge bolts aren't under a lot of stress or movement. The Type 4 main case tie-bolts are critical fasteners, but if you look at them closely, you'll notice that they are very special, application-specific bolts and washers, the Type 1 used studs there. The type 4 is vastly improved and updated by VW engineers over the years, and the Vanagon engine contains all of these improvements.

Mike B.

I'm really not looking at out-engineering or out-thinking VW but there is newer technology in many areas since 1983 (such as the self locking nuts) and I thought it good to ask the question whether others found it made sense to use it here. I'm glad to hear you've had such good results relying on straight torque for performance, in mission critical moving machine applications I've always had to use Nylocs or other self locking hardware so going by straight torque makes me a little nervous, I'll just have to get over that.

Joe


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