In a message dated 10/11/2001 3:13:46 PM Eastern Daylight Ti=
me, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
exhaust leak and leaking heads?=
?
Jenny, If you plan to keep that '87 Wes=
ty of yours I highly recommend that you install a stainless steel system.&nb=
sp; The best scenario is to get the STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Muffler & J-pipe. P=
lease click on the highlighted link which will take you to our website where=
you will find complete technical details, pictures of our muffler and j-pip=
e, pricing, ordering instructions, and customer reviews. Our Muffler a=
nd J-pipe are guaranteed for life. There is a 5% Vanagon List member d=
iscount which you must ask for when placing your order.
For the header pipes I recommend you go=
with the DANSK stainless steel ones that only The Bus Depot - Discount VW Parts - Main Menu sells. These=
DANSK made header pipes do not have the flanges or the support brackets mad=
e from stainless, only the tubing is stainless. There is no warranty f=
rom DANSK but the Bus Depot will give you a six month warranty. I have=
had a set of these on my '87 Westy since June of 2000 when they first becam=
e available. I have also installed many sets on my customer's Vanagons=
along with the STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Muffler & J-pipe. T=
his combination is performing perfectly in all cases. I believe The Bu=
s Depot will give you a 5% Vanagon List member discount which you must also =
ask for.
The CAT you can get through most local =
quality auto parts or from the Bus Depot if you need it.
The cast iron collector piece can be ha=
d from the Bus Depot for a good price.
The header studs/bolts that your mechan=
ic is speaking of is a known problem. Most always some if not all of t=
hem will break and require drilling and tapping and sometimes helicoil inser=
tion to get new treads back that will hold your header securely to the heads=
without leaking. I recommend using bolts in all locations instead of =
studs. I have in some instances enlarged the threads in the head to ta=
ke 1/2" bolts instead of the 14 mm that are original. If you use the l=
arger bolts you will need to enlarge the holes in the header flanges and gas=
kets. In all cases make sure the holes in the flanges are a bit larger=
than the bolts your using so there will be no lateral stress on the flange.=
Use stainless steel bolts, flat washers and lock washers with anti-si=
eze compound on the bolt threads. If the bolts break at the front of t=
he engine then they can be repaired without removing the heads or engine.&nb=
sp; BUT, if the bolts break at the back of the engine then the heads or engi=
ne will have to be removed to do the repair as there is virtually no room th=
ere to work effectively.
This is now a good time to mention your=
possible head leak problem. If it is found that the heads are leaking=
, which is VERY common, then it may be best to remove the engine and have th=
e head leak problem repaired and do the header bolt repair at the same time.=
It would be best in this instance to have helicoils inserted in all e=
ight locations of the header flange stud/bolts.
This would be a good time to make sure =
the cooling tins that cover the push rod tubes are in good condition as they=
are attached to the header flange bolts and it would not be economical to h=
ave to go under there again to remove and install those header flange bolts =
again to get those cooling tins replaced.
Good luck with your project and if I ca=
n be of any further assistance please contact me.
Peace
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
BusFusion a VW C=
amper camping event, Almonte, ON, May 30, 31, June 1, 2, 2002
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: Vanagon List, LiMBO, IWCCC & Capital City VW Club
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless=
Steel Mufflers
Frank Condelli & =
Associates or http://frankcondelli.com