I have the exhaust manifold off my 2008 Cooper S. The service manual says to replace the hardware when putting it back on, so I picked up a gasket and copper nuts from the dealership. My question to this group is in regards to the new copper nuts vs the old copper nuts. As you can see in the picture, the original have a housing over them. Do I need to pry this off and use it, or do I just use the new copper nut as is? I assume the latter, but if I don't need it, then why was it on there in the first place? I appreciate your feedback, thanks!

 

I guess it comes down to how easily can the housing (spacer?) be removed?

If it were me, I'd go back to the dealer, and ask the parts guy, and a shop forman about it.

But, I've got several cars to drive, you may be stuck if you only have one.

 

Yeah, I called the parts guy this morning and he didn't have much of a clue. I tried taking the housing off (which does have a spacer as part of it), but without success. I don't have a vise, otherwise I could probably hammer it out.

As it stands now, I am going to assume that if the dealer doesn't sell it then it is not needed. There's just a part of me that likes the idea of the protection that the housing provides on the originals.

Thanks!

 

From my experience manufacturers do updates to parts/suppliers as time goes one. Most likely the original came from one manufacturer and this is how they made them. The new nut is just as functional and either will last longer or is cheaper. They will package the parts as needed to install unless noted in an instruction sheet you should just install them as they come. The cover is probably to hold the washer to the nut where as the new nut has a fastener made on to the nut to eliminate the extra cover. I hope this helps.
Justin

 

I wouldn't worry about it. The contact surface area is the same so it does the same job as the old one.

 

After seeing this thread several times, I just can't help myself. I'm from the St. Louis area and and am wondering if the statue of Stan Musial outside Busch Stadium has copper nuts.

 

Pretty sure Stan the Man has Brass *****!

 

Just a quick update. Everything seems fine now that I have it all back together. I guess I was worrying over nothing. Thank you all for the input! Even the info on Stan ;-)