Exhaust Gasket Torque sequence?
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 223
Likes: 142
From: North Bay, CA
Exhaust Gasket Torque sequence?
Greetings HDF,
I recently went through my entire exhuast on my 2015 Ultra... for a 2nd time. The results are awesome in my opinion but I can't for the life of me figure out what I am doing incorrect when tightening the MID to the heads. When I removed the stock MID I installed the SE High flow mid. No leaks whatsoever. I finally removed the restrictive SE High Flow with Catted Cannons for the S&S Power Tune MID and S&S Gran Nationals. The set up is just the way I want it but no matter how I torque the MID to the head I get a leak.. As I ride at any speed I am engulfed in exhaust fumes. Enough to make my eyes water.
So, is there a trick to this? I followed what I believed to be the HD manual menthod. Rear Cyclinder: tighten bottom nut flange to 9-18 inch pounds, tighten the top nut to 100-120 inch pounds, final tightn the top to 100-120 inch pound. Repeat steps for front starting with the top.
Does this sound correct? I reached out to S&S and they suggested the tightening be done equally between the top and bottom to a max of 100 - 120 inch pounds.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Cheers and thanks
NEM
I recently went through my entire exhuast on my 2015 Ultra... for a 2nd time. The results are awesome in my opinion but I can't for the life of me figure out what I am doing incorrect when tightening the MID to the heads. When I removed the stock MID I installed the SE High flow mid. No leaks whatsoever. I finally removed the restrictive SE High Flow with Catted Cannons for the S&S Power Tune MID and S&S Gran Nationals. The set up is just the way I want it but no matter how I torque the MID to the head I get a leak.. As I ride at any speed I am engulfed in exhaust fumes. Enough to make my eyes water.
So, is there a trick to this? I followed what I believed to be the HD manual menthod. Rear Cyclinder: tighten bottom nut flange to 9-18 inch pounds, tighten the top nut to 100-120 inch pounds, final tightn the top to 100-120 inch pound. Repeat steps for front starting with the top.
Does this sound correct? I reached out to S&S and they suggested the tightening be done equally between the top and bottom to a max of 100 - 120 inch pounds.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Cheers and thanks
NEM
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 981
From: Northern VA
On the M8 it goes:
Rear: Bottom to 9-18 in/lbs, top 100-120 in/lbs, bottom 100-12 in/lbs
Front: Bottom to 9-18 in/lbs, top 100-120 in/lbs, bottom 100-12 in/lbs
I always torque to 120 in/lbs and also leave heat shields off, ride for a bit, then retorque. Thankfully, I haven't had any issues yet.
Rear: Bottom to 9-18 in/lbs, top 100-120 in/lbs, bottom 100-12 in/lbs
Front: Bottom to 9-18 in/lbs, top 100-120 in/lbs, bottom 100-12 in/lbs
I always torque to 120 in/lbs and also leave heat shields off, ride for a bit, then retorque. Thankfully, I haven't had any issues yet.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 981
From: Northern VA
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-...DTWA/206743985
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,158
Likes: 9,567
From: central NC
I use this one. I can actually get to the front/top bolt with it if I use a "normal size" 1/2" socket. I removed and reinstalled my M8 headpipe last weekend.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-...DTWA/206743985
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-...DTWA/206743985
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,487
Likes: 2,532
From: Lititz Pa
I don't y
use a torque wrench for head bolts. I just fit the headers one hand tight the bolts then little at a time I go around and stung them up. When everything is tight little bit of soapy water will let you know if any leaks. Go for a ride than re snug them up again. This has worked for me for over 50 years. I worked in a shop back in the early 60's the boss told me one time " Don't get strong in the back and week in the mind'
use a torque wrench for head bolts. I just fit the headers one hand tight the bolts then little at a time I go around and stung them up. When everything is tight little bit of soapy water will let you know if any leaks. Go for a ride than re snug them up again. This has worked for me for over 50 years. I worked in a shop back in the early 60's the boss told me one time " Don't get strong in the back and week in the mind'
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,158
Likes: 9,567
From: central NC
I don't y
use a torque wrench for head bolts. I just fit the headers one hand tight the bolts then little at a time I go around and stung them up. When everything is tight little bit of soapy water will let you know if any leaks. Go for a ride than re snug them up again. This has worked for me for over 50 years. I worked in a shop back in the early 60's the boss told me one time " Don't get strong in the back and week in the mind'
use a torque wrench for head bolts. I just fit the headers one hand tight the bolts then little at a time I go around and stung them up. When everything is tight little bit of soapy water will let you know if any leaks. Go for a ride than re snug them up again. This has worked for me for over 50 years. I worked in a shop back in the early 60's the boss told me one time " Don't get strong in the back and week in the mind'
My 2020 FLHX has 12,000 on it and the nuts on the head bolts were just past finger tight when I took it apart last week, and I’m a little spooked how loose the torque values look to be in the service manual, and how damn soft those gaskets are. maybe I’m over thinking it. And then there’s the whole O2 sensor thing and I REALLY want to avoid exhaust leaks.
Last edited by gonemad; Dec 2, 2021 at 03:37 PM.
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From: Xenia OH
