i lost a muffler yesterday during flight. ive never had the bolts totally unscrew in 3 minutes like that. which loctite do i use on the bolts next time around ? thanks.

Loctite Blue is what I use

I 2nd that motion.

Are you sure that it was simply a case of a nut coming loose? If yes - I meant no disrespect. I've had a couple of OS46 AXmufflers separate in flight - neither was because the nut came loose. In both cases the center bolt broke. Some have advised using some stainless steel wire to create a "safety wire" loop that will hold the two pieces together in case the bolt breaks. Some have replaced the center bolt with threaded stock with nuts on both ends using Loctite on both.Some use hi-temp RTV to create a non-hardening gasket at the seam of the muffler pieces as well as at the bolt head and the bolt's nut.

Macs makes a nice 1-piece muffler (not their tuned pipe) for many engines. I replaced my OS46 AXOEMunit with a Macs.

You remove locktite by heating it. It's pretty much useless on mufflers.

Make a 'manila folder file card stock' gasket for it. I've never lost a muffler since doing this or else I've learned to 'torque' the bolt better!

ARUP - are suggesting that by better isolating the muffler assembly from the engine that less vibration is transmitted to the muffler assembly and that the bolt that holds the 2 muffler halves together won't fail or its nut vibrate off?

Cover both ends with JB Weld and it won't ever come apart.

I will attest that Steve's suggestion is very accurate. It's only a problem if you need to install the engine in another plane that's "different".

Just sign me "been there, regretted doing that" ...