So I screwed up...
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 529
Likes: 36
From: WV
So I screwed up...
I got up early this morning and decided to put the new pipes on my bike. The old ones came off easy enough, the new ones went on easy enough. I was actually pretty proud of myself until I came back in the house and decided to check the manual just to make sure everything was ok. Yeah yeah I know...that's where I should have started.
The instruction sheet had no spec for torquing the exhaust bolts. It simply said "tighten the exhaust port flange nuts". So I did. I snugged'em up good. I mean, I didn't stand on the wrench or anything (and I did use the short driver!) but they are tight.
When I came in and looked at the manual it says 10 ft lbs. I am well over that. Double that? Triple that? I dunno.
Anyone know how critical this is? I assume that if I have to take it apart I'm going to need new gaskets?
All I can really say is crap!
The instruction sheet had no spec for torquing the exhaust bolts. It simply said "tighten the exhaust port flange nuts". So I did. I snugged'em up good. I mean, I didn't stand on the wrench or anything (and I did use the short driver!) but they are tight.
When I came in and looked at the manual it says 10 ft lbs. I am well over that. Double that? Triple that? I dunno.
Anyone know how critical this is? I assume that if I have to take it apart I'm going to need new gaskets?
All I can really say is crap!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,776
Likes: 2,607
From: san antonio
Did you use new exhaust gaskets? If not, you have an excuse to pull the pipes, R/R the gaskets and get a do over. If you did use new exhaust gaskets and you pulled the flanges up evenly and don't have any leaks, forget about it; it's done.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 15
what year bike? They pre 06 heads had a smaller exhaust port and much more chance of squishing your exhaust gasket into the port. It is an easy job to pull the header off and make sure the gasket is not interfering with exhaust flow. You could have had a really bad day if you would have snapped an exhaust stud off in the head. I think you owe it to yourself to pull them off and start over as punishement and an offering to the Almighty as penance for your sins LOL.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 27
From: San Diego, CA
Also, don't forget that when your bike heats up there is going to be some expansion on those parts which will also increase the torque on those bolts. IF they are maybe triple what they should be you may be stretching your luck a bit too much. Try backing them off and re-torqueing them. Then see if they leak.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 529
Likes: 36
From: WV
Ok, I've decided that I need to back them off. What is the best way to check for leaks?
Thanks for the help guys.
Thanks for the help guys.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,776
Likes: 2,607
From: san antonio
The exhaust gaksets have been compressed by the intial torque; particularly if the OEM gaskets. If you back them off and re-torque to a lesser torque, you are inviting leaks. Much smarter move would be to drop the pipes, install a set of the SE stainless steel gaskets that will not compress into the port and retorque to 60-80 in. lb. per spec.
If the exhaust is leaking, you will hear it and the engine will start popping on decel.
If the exhaust is leaking, you will hear it and the engine will start popping on decel.
Last edited by djl; Jan 2, 2012 at 11:48 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 529
Likes: 36
From: WV
The exhaust gaksets have been compressed by the intial torque; particularly if the OEM gaskets. If you back them off and re-torque to a lesser torque, you are inviting leaks. Much smarter move would be to drop the pipes, install a set of the SE stainless steel gaskets that will on compress into the port and retorque to 60-80 in. lb. per spec.
If the exhaust is leaking, you will hear it and the engine will start popping on decel.
If the exhaust is leaking, you will hear it and the engine will start popping on decel.
Ordering a Powervision today. I'm tearing everything back apart just as soon as I get the new map loaded.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Thanks, I did use new gaskets on the install. I have already decided that the pipes are coming off and being reinstalled with new gaskets. It sucks to do this but it's January after all. Working on the bike is about the only method I have of playing with it anyway!
Ordering a Powervision today. I'm tearing everything back apart just as soon as I get the new map loaded.
Ordering a Powervision today. I'm tearing everything back apart just as soon as I get the new map loaded.
Last edited by 2black1s; Jan 2, 2012 at 11:22 AM.