question about header instal

[wiguy85]

just got my pipe back from odie and started to put it on but wasn't fitting very good. so looked around and was thinking when i put the header back on, it wasn't staight. for example, on the front cylinder, the top stud as, im guessing, 4-5 threads out past the nut. the bottom nut has, none, maybe 1 thread out. so it kind of seems the bottom of the header is sticking out too far, not tucked in far enough to fit the muffler. so looks like i got to rotate engine down again to get the damn thing straight. any advice on how to torque the header down to make it go where its suppose to?

 

[konarider94]

im guessing the gasket is a little deformed in there. the factory gasket is a stainless mesh material and is quite large. it actually blocks some of the port. there are some non hd gaskets that are smaller. i spent some time making sure my header was in square. took some wiggling. then just tighten the flanges evenly.

 

[wiguy85]

damnit, guy from asb told me the evo mesh ones work best for the stock header and the other ones for other headers. well if its crooked, im sure its deformed now. is there a gasket that is better and where can they be bought from. are they the SE flat type??was told those dont work for the flared ends on the xb model. also, can these small ones be purchased through harley dealership and what type?

 

[Riderdie]

Yea that gasket is a little strange. It's a crush gasket. You put it in all nice and pretty then tighten the crap out of the bolts. I replaced my front and used the old rear.

Maybe try hitting the opposite side with a nail punch see if you can push it back a little.

Be careful to not break the bolt/stud coming from the cylinder. Whole new bag of problems!!!!!!![mad]

 

[wiguy85]

i replaced both of them when i took my header off to wrap it and do some other stuff to motor. They are big but got them in and looks like they sat as good as they can for forcing them damn things in.

Hey konarider, what gaskets did you use and where from?

 

[wiguy85]

have off today only and wanna run to get what i need. Is there a better exhaust gasket available through dealer or anywhere else or is the oversized evo gasket the way to go??

 

[wiguy85]

alright, just ran to dealer and got the evo style tapered ones and picked up the screamin bird flat style ones. which one do you all recommend to put it the firebolt?

 

[Livers]

I just pulled a top end gasket set apart. The thicker, tapered one is in this kit.

 

[konarider94]

the gaskets i got came from cometic in the top end rebuild kit i purchased from them. they will sell you just the exhaust gaskets. i think the race type come in the kit. i think they work great. i wish i would have taken a picture but they are quite a bit different than the mesh.

You put it in all nice and pretty then tighten the crap out of the bolts.

the torque spec is 9ft lbs i think. so no dont tighten the crap out of them.

 

[stellio78]

the torque spec is 9ft lbs i think.  so no dont tighten the crap out of them.

As per the service manual:

Tighten fasteners to 72-96 in-lbs (8.1-10.8 Nm).
NOTES
● Tighten header nuts gradually, alternating between studs to insure that exhaust rings are flush with engine.

When I installed mine I used the OEM exhaust port gaskets part# 65324-83B.

I fitted the headers loose, then fitted the muffler loose and when everything was in the right position I then torqued things up.

Use the service manual.

 

[wiguy85]

thanks alot, thats what ill probably end up doing is fitting everything then tighten it. it looks like i should be able to fit the muffler underneath with the engine rotated down. Thanks, yes i do download the manual when i need a lot of info at once but with the size of the file, laptop is sooooooo sloooooow when i download so i have to restart it to clear everything!

thanks guys

 

[konarider94]

Tighten fasteners to 72-96 in-lbs (8.1-10.8 Nm).

so i was off by one. i did torque mine to 9 though. i know im dangerous.

 

[stellio78]

it looks like i should be able to fit the muffler underneath with the engine rotated down

I don't know if that will work but let us know how you go.
When I removed and installed my headers I did it without rotating the engine.

 

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

HOW-TO-REMOVE-HEADER-NO-ENGINE-ROTATE-NEEDED-with-pics some good tips there

 

[wiguy85]

ok, so maybe not fully rotated down, i've gotten so fast at it that i just jack it back up, throw in the isolator bolt, start the bolt on the tiebars. do the muffler, lift the motor up a little by the nose, pull the bolts all out, do the headers and put it all up again!