I'm assuming no washers are needed with these nuts?

Also, is it common practice to take a file to the inlets of the SS heat exchanger tubes before installation? I don't have a large file, so just wondering if I need/should buy one.

Any other recommendations are welcome.

I dont think you need washers, but I put some on mine just for shits and giggles. Sandpaper on a cutting board works the same as a file. Color the tops of the exchangers with a sharpie pen, and sand away until its all gone. Torque the nuts to 15lbs, use fresh copper gaskets and RTV high temp silicone. Tighten in a cross pattern, similar to lug nuts on wheels.

No washer.

If your installing used SSI's then.. take a large metal file to them. They are however prefectly straight out of out the box.

Make sure you get your old exhaust gaskets out of the heads.

Install the new ones with orange high temp silicon on both sides. This will help hold them into the heads while you place the HE up to them. It will make a mess, but you cant see it and they will be sealed nicely the FIRST time...LOL


B

Don't tighten the HE nuts down until you install the muffler and hanger. You need to wiggle everything to get it all to fit right. Then tighten all the nuts.
Geoff

no washer and no silicone, sealed just fine everytime. one of the best nut's for the job!

Thanks everyone!

Were there other companies making SS heat exchangers other than SSI? If so, how can you tell the differences? Yep, mine are used.

if they are not cracked on the welds, they are SSI

Nobody made 914 4cyl 1.7/1.8 and 2.0's SS HE's except SSI.

Andy..they do crack around the U shaped mounting tabs when people overtighten them after ADDING a gasket to the head... ending with 2 of them.

People send them in from time to time to have them re-jigged and welded.

B

i tought that was only when the gasket wasn't placed right ?

They can do that also. If the gasket falls out of the head while they are placing them up to the head... they can crush the gasket incorrectly and then overtighten and crack.

Bottom line is: They fit every time if you take your time.

B