I have a question.  I know the need for the gaskets on the exhaust system
since it makes the seal to prevent air leaks and noise.  On my 84 Vanagon,
the gasket is fiber that is sandwiched between two sheets of metal to keep
from blowing out the fiber material.  Problem is that the fiber eventually
disintegrates anyway and compression on the metal pieces is reduced.  There
are solid metal gaskets which I guess were used on earlier VW's.  I was
wondering why the solid metal gaskets are not used on the Vanagon so that
the fiber sandwiched gaskets don't have to be replaced?

William