Copper nuts, exhaust leaks! Options

[Cap'n Krusty]

I agree with Dave (realred). It would be well for everyone to remember that the original Porsche exhaust nuts, both the style used on the 1.7/1.8 cars, and the one specifically for the 2.0 cars, are NOT lock nuts, and were cad plated. All were heli-coiled. Any discussion involving the copper plated lock nuts should take into consideration they're NOT the same. They require different torque on installation because you have to overcome the locking force. The plating changes the effort, as well. I use a little anti-seize on any exhaust fastener, giving it just a little extra torque to compensate for the lessening of the friction.

If I can reuse the original nuts, or dig into the stash of used ones, I do.

The Cap'n

I can say I had fewer problems when I switched to 2.0L fastener.

Thanks for your input Cap, seems I, like politics, am one nut short of a quorum!

It appears I may have a spare one. Since you may not be here for the open house at my shop and GPR (foolish move, that!), maybe someone can pick it up for you. Free will donations accepted. Where are you located?

Hello Cap,
I am in the Burbank area, I would have been there for the open house but I have to work this weekend. If anyone heads south of Burbank, I am right off the 5 fwy, at the Sunland/Vineland exit.
Mike

I'll get it to Pasadena within a few days. PM me your phone number so the guy can call you. It's my ONLY spare, I'm keeping one full set on hand.

The Cap'n

[mgphoto]

I got it to work by using a 10mm x 1.25 helicoil and than inserting a 8mm x 1.25 helicoil, not very parallel with the other stud but it works!

Here is a photo of the nuts, all of the copper nuts were loose except for the one that broke the stud. I included a stainless steel bolt that I had to grind off because it galled after a week on the car.

A. copper nuts, one broken stud. Nuts had more resistance going on than the torque necessary to compress the copper gaskets.

B. Stainless steel bolt and nut used for attachment of heat exchanger to muffler, galled and locked solid.

C. A copper covered split lock nut I have used in the past and was not happy with.

D. original 1.7 exhaust nut with helicoil (38 years old)






The copper gaskets I took out look almost untouched, I am sure I could use 3 of them again!