Correct Headpipe Gasket Question ....
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 594
Likes: 1
From: Florida
Correct Headpipe Gasket Question ....
So I bought a set of V&H 2-2 Big Radius for Momma's Superglide Custom. I'm doing the install, only to discover V&H shorted me one of the two headpipe gaskets. Although I'm bent over the fact that I have to take time out from my wrenching to run to the local dealer to get a gasket ...not a big deal.
Now I've done more than a couple sets of V&H pipes on my bikes, and others. Anyone who has knows that the V&H headpipe flange is a different design than stock Harley, and therefore uses a different gasket. So the parts counter boy tells me that they sell (and service dept installs) the regular Harley gaskets for V&H and any other headpipe install. Sure don't seem right to me? He says that they just crank down the header nuts on the stunds a essentially cram it up against stock harley gaskets. I wasn't buy it, so I insisted he sell me the "more expensive" Screaminng Eagle" header gaskets (much to his disgust), which are identical to the V&H gasket (gee ...wonder who makes the "Screaming Eagle" pipes for H-D?).
What do you guys think ...is using stock Harley headpipe gaskets acceptable for the V&H header pipes??
Now I've done more than a couple sets of V&H pipes on my bikes, and others. Anyone who has knows that the V&H headpipe flange is a different design than stock Harley, and therefore uses a different gasket. So the parts counter boy tells me that they sell (and service dept installs) the regular Harley gaskets for V&H and any other headpipe install. Sure don't seem right to me? He says that they just crank down the header nuts on the stunds a essentially cram it up against stock harley gaskets. I wasn't buy it, so I insisted he sell me the "more expensive" Screaminng Eagle" header gaskets (much to his disgust), which are identical to the V&H gasket (gee ...wonder who makes the "Screaming Eagle" pipes for H-D?).
What do you guys think ...is using stock Harley headpipe gaskets acceptable for the V&H header pipes??
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
Not a fan of the stock Harley exhaust port gaskets ... a crush type gasket with a reverse conic shape to make it 'easy' to install ... also makes it easy to get them jammed in the port and restrict exhaust gas flow a little, as well ...
However, that said ... I do not know of any reason they would not work ... but, I have no personal experience with V&H pipes ....
R/
'Chop
However, that said ... I do not know of any reason they would not work ... but, I have no personal experience with V&H pipes ....
R/
'Chop
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
I'm wondering the same thing. I bought short shots used, and replaced the stock gaskets with the screamin eagle type. Still get decel pop, I'm assuming its because it hasn't been retuned. How exactly do you test for an exhaust leak?
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 594
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From: Florida
The stock Harley pipes use a "beveled" headpipe flange, into a "beveled" gasket. The V&H pipe uses a "staright/flat" flange mated to a "flat" gasket. Cranking down extra hard on the flange nuts to draw the flat flange up into the beveled casket just seems like a leak waiting to happen. Even if if you get a good seal ...it can't be the "right" seal. Seems to me.
I forgot to mention ...V&H says to use the Screaming Eagle gasket when needed for their pipes, yet the kid still tried to push the regualr (beveled) gaskets on me. I'm thinking he's another one of those employs that works there, but dont ride or tune on his own bike???
I forgot to mention ...V&H says to use the Screaming Eagle gasket when needed for their pipes, yet the kid still tried to push the regualr (beveled) gaskets on me. I'm thinking he's another one of those employs that works there, but dont ride or tune on his own bike???
Last edited by AK BAGGER; Mar 3, 2012 at 12:38 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 594
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I imagine even with a proper tune, you'll still get some decel popping from those short shots. The shorter the pipe, the harder to eliminate the decel pop. As for the exhaust leak ...you just have to listen for a hiss sound at the header flange (muffler/header flange too). Sometimes you can see the black soot blowby on a leaky pipe.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 176
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From: Berkeley, CA
2 ways to test for an exhaust leak @ the cylinder head. Smoke! A leak will blow it away or suck it in. I'm in Bezerkeley so I light a stick of incense. That's what you do when ya quit smokin' cigarettes. Another method is to get a length of fuel line...2 or 3 ft. Use this like a stethoscope. It's surprising what you can hear even w/ the the engine runnin'. Intake leak??? Squirt some carb cleaner on the joints and listen for elevated engine RPM's.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Yes, the stock Harley gaskets will work, I have them with V&H BR 2-1. The directions did say to use the SE gaskets but I let the parts guy talk me out of them. I haven't had a problem. Have the pipes off now for other maintenance and will probably go with the SE just because I haven't tried them yet.
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