'87 LE Sedan: What size bolts used to connect stock muffler?

[ladd2]

1987 Camry LE Sedan
Toyota Muffler, Part Number 174307A05083

I've removed the rusted out mystery third-party muffler and hung the new Toyota muffler. Not too bad; a liberal helping of ZEP loosened the rusty bolts and the new muffler went on with a bit of wrestling with the rubber hangers.

Unfortunately for me, I didn't realize beforehand that the nuts used to bolt the muffler to the rear exhaust pipe were already attached to the muffler's front pipe flange.

So the nuts I have aren't needed and, of course, the bolts I have won't fit the new nuts on the flange.

So, hoping to save the trouble off wrestling the muffler back out of the car in the 90+ degree heat and humidity Maryland is "enjoying" these days and then dragging it down to the hardware store, I'm hoping someone can tell me what size, length and thread bolts I need to fit the nuts on this Toyota muffler.

Thanks!

Ladd

[Doctor J]

the bolts are metric with pitch of M8X1.25 [mm]. They have 12 mm [Toyota OEM] or 13 mm [aftermarket] heads.

[ladd2]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

the bolts are metric with pitch of M8X1.25 [mm]. They have 12 mm [Toyota OEM] or 13 mm [aftermarket] heads.

Thanks for the tip!

And the Toyota dealership from which I purchased the muffler via Internet sale has just confirmed the bolt specs.

[later]

just got back from Lowes with a packet of two, Hillman M8-1.25 x 25 bolts and unfortunately, they don't fit.

By hand, the bolts start to screw into the nuts attached to the flange on the front pipe of the muffler, but then bind -- almost like they are the wrong thread pitch. I could put a socket wrench on the bolt to see what happens, but I can see how that might really be asking for trouble.

Short of the bolts being incorrectly packaged (not likely, but I suppose it could happen), what possibilities am I missing here?

[ladd2]

problem solved.

I guess I should not have assumed that I would not get any support from the folks in the parts department of the Toyota dealership from whom I purchased the muffler via the Internet.

I have received a second email today (the first confirming the bolt size offered by Doctor J) and a the most recent one noting that the nuts attached to the front pipe flange were lock nuts. Having the bolt appear to "seize" was not a symptom of incorrect size or thread pitch, but of the bolt simply hitting the locking part of the nut.

A quick attack with the socket wrench confirmed this to be true; tightening the bolts was easily done by wrench.

While I think I still originally made the correct decision to not apply more force to the bolt via socket wrench when the bolt wouldn't turn by hand (possible wrong size, wrong thread, etc.), it's clear that lack of knowledge on my part made for a long day.

Thanks to all the folks who read my request for aid and specifically to Doctor J for pointing me in the correct direction.