Exhaust gasket question
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 48
Likes: 5
From: NH
Exhaust gasket question
Hello all,
so I will finally get my brand new Street Bob 2020 delivered on Friday (it was stuck at the dealer for past two months due to some unforeseen circumstances), so I plan to start with installing all the aftermarket parts. I will be putting on V&H Big Shots and I have a question regarding the exhaust gaskets. I suppose the stock ones will be still okay (since it was not used yet), but with the new exhaust I got a pair of V&H exhaust gaskets (picture below). Now I have seen the OEM exhaust gaskets, and they are a lot different - thinner and taller. Should I reuse the stock gaskets or should I put in these new ones from V&H? What is the difference between the two? Thanks!
so I will finally get my brand new Street Bob 2020 delivered on Friday (it was stuck at the dealer for past two months due to some unforeseen circumstances), so I plan to start with installing all the aftermarket parts. I will be putting on V&H Big Shots and I have a question regarding the exhaust gaskets. I suppose the stock ones will be still okay (since it was not used yet), but with the new exhaust I got a pair of V&H exhaust gaskets (picture below). Now I have seen the OEM exhaust gaskets, and they are a lot different - thinner and taller. Should I reuse the stock gaskets or should I put in these new ones from V&H? What is the difference between the two? Thanks!
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 382
Likes: 178
From: Florida
@vanceandhines may want to comment on this. Honestly, I have not heard of a tune being necessary for just adding slip ons. In fact, both my bike and my wife's and my bike have slip on exhausts and neither has been re-tuned. I always thought the tune was required once you changed the breather. But I will defer to the more expert among us.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 48
Likes: 5
From: NH
Thanks for the reply, I will exchange the gaskets for new ones then 
. I already have FP3 fuelpack, since I am also changing the breather. Also Big shots are full exhaust system, not slip-ons.
. I already have FP3 fuelpack, since I am also changing the breather. Also Big shots are full exhaust system, not slip-ons.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 382
Likes: 178
From: Florida
I should have known... especially since those gaskets look like the actual gaskets that go in at the header - not the ones that go in with a slip-on. Thanks for taking a minute to clarify for me.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 615
Likes: 209
From: California
The new one you have is much better for your application. Maybe a little anti seize on the threads of (local automotive store 99 cents)the head bolts and don't over tork them.
And digging my FP3
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 913
Likes: 322
From: St. Louis
Like others said get the oem ones out. They are a taper style gasket, and will leak with the new system. You can run screaming eagles, v&h. Doesn't really matter. They are a flat gasket, not specific just for that exhaust. Screaming eagles I needed two per port. I just put in a set of fuel motos, and they are super nice. Fyi, stick a rag or something in the port before you start digging the oem out. That crap gets everywhere
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 965
Likes: 297
From: NoVa
Just out of curiosity, is anybody using the tubular copper gaskets like these?
FWIW, I've usually been able to get the flat mesh-style gaskets (V&H in the OP's) to seal well even reusing them. Changed exhaust 3 times on the Dyna last year trying to find the right combo for decent power through the revs without killing my ears. The copper type listed above are definitely one-use only, but they were the bomb when I first used them 30 years ago.
FWIW, I've usually been able to get the flat mesh-style gaskets (V&H in the OP's) to seal well even reusing them. Changed exhaust 3 times on the Dyna last year trying to find the right combo for decent power through the revs without killing my ears. The copper type listed above are definitely one-use only, but they were the bomb when I first used them 30 years ago.
Last edited by AJ88V; Apr 22, 2020 at 12:27 PM.
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