OK.... putting a set of Rush pipes on my 2015 triglide. I can't get the $%%^^$%$## exhaust gasket in without it deforming. I have tried freezing them, I have tried greasing them, I have tried pushing them in with a bearing race tool. This can't be this hard. I have rebuilt many engines and I am very mechanical. Yes, the inside of the port is cleaned out. I even cleaned it with scotch brite and kroil. It always seems to deform near what appears to be a seam where the gasket is formed. The inside of the exhaust port appears to be raised in the machining. Presumably to accommodate the sealing of the pipe. Is it possible that my HD shop where I got the gaskets sold me some kind of Chinese off brand?

Please be easy on me...I am really pissed off at this point. Four gaskets so far. Are the gaskets different on the Rushmore heads?

I have heard of people using the SE gaskets which I understand are much easier to install but the Rush instructions say to use the HD stock conical gaskets. Anybody have these pipes installed with the SE gaskets? I have read that some folks used 2 SE gaskets per head but they were installing different brand pipes.

Comment please from folks that have actually done this. I don't need any clips from fix my hog.

Thanks

 

I recently did this and freezing them and a little lube, used a tool I made specifically for the job and it still deformed a bit at the seam. Installed exhaust, torqued to spec as best as possible and rode it. No leaks. After a few rides, I re-torqued them. Still no leaks. I think it's impossible to get them in without a bit of deformation. But I'm sure I'll get corrected on this.

 

I carefully pushed mine in with the fingers only and lightly sprayed some WD-40 on them. The front was harder than the back for my fingers to get in there.
Next time I will freeze then overnight just to make it easier.

 

I've put three different sets of pipes on my bike. You're correct, those exhaust gaskets are a PITA to install. Doesn't matter if they're SE gaskets or not. They always deform but I try to make sure that they are in equally all the way around then use the professional technique of hoping that they seal. lol

 

Same here when I did mine. Froze them and they deformed slightly. Still sealed up fine.

 

Thanks guys... I got the rear in finally albeit slightly deformed. The front I just skimmed with ultra copper. It looks like the rush pipe and the stock pipe will contact the gasket in different areas. The rush pipe is squared and rounded at the end where as the stock pipe is just tapered with an unfinished end. Now employing the "professional technique of hoping they seal".

It amazes me that the HD still is using technology from the turn of the 19th century.

 

Yep, those exhaust/crush gaskets are definitely a beotch to get installed. No matter how many times, I still end-up having a 4-letter-word fest in the garage. Seems like you got them figured out and buttoned-up. Enjoy that new exhaust!

 

I agree, use fingers only in order to see that they are going in squarely.

 

Pushed mine in last week and they got hung on one side but pushed them in anyway, they sealed OK though...

 

After 40 or 50 sets you'll get good at it.

In the meantime, double up the SE style. I've been using 2 of them in each port for years. They seal every time and they don't squash out into the port like the originals do. I also hit the header lip and the sealing surface of the gasket with a light skim of grease. Seems to help them pull in smoothly.