Need input - SSI Observations

[KMoore68]

Hi,

I recently installed SSIs on my 1977 911 S with a 2.7. A couple of things:

1. I purchased an induction tool that heated the nuts to red-hot, wow, what a difference on removing the old nuts. They just easily turned off with no broken studs, would recommend 100% for anyone else doing this type of work.
2. My old headers didn't easily slide down and I ended up having to use a hacksaw to cut one of the tubes for them to come off. Straight to the garbage for the old headers.

I ended up buying copper nuts, the barrel nuts and used anti-sieze so I'm hoping it won't be an issue in the future when I remove the SSIs.

I would appreciate your thoughts on the following:
1. I had to reuse the old spacers, basically small tubes that went over the studs. Is that normal?
2. For both the barrel nuts and the regular nuts, I just hand-tightened them. The regular nuts, I didn't receive the SSI tool so I used a 13mm open ended wrench. The barrel nuts I did buy a 8mm hex but it cam with a ball-end and that didn't get the nuts as tight as I would have liked. I did buy another 8mm hex socket that arrives tomorrow and I'll try to torque down the barrel nuts to 18 ft-lbs.

The biggest observation is that the SSIs are quite a bit louder than my previous headers. I'm thinking it is because the nuts aren't torqued properly but I don't know and would appreciate your input. It almost sounds like an open header but it is hard to describe. I'll see if I can post a video but I'm not sure how to do that.

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

[tops911]

I put SSIs on a 78 SC many years ago, something like 20 years ago. I used a Mapp gas torch to heat the nuts and I did a couple cycles of heating and cooling and they came off no problem. I used only copper (plated?) nuts with nickel anti seize because of the higher opperating temperature. The nuts had a smaller 12mm head rather than 13mm. I just used a 1/4 inch ratchet to tighten the nuts and made sure not to over tighten. I did not have or use any spacers over the studs. I think they may have been a little noisier but the heat was awesome.

[shadowjack1]

Every time I do an oil change I work the nuts on the exhaust system. Just loosen them a little bit and retighten. Never fear them again.