Does anyone have a trick for installing the soft header gaskets on a twin cam? I was thinking a bearing race installer. But I don't want to buy one if there's a better and/or easier way to get them in there without accidentally shredding them?

 

Just push them in with your fingers!

 

Already tried that. It kept getting ****-eyed and I pushed to hard on one side, the soft material got jacked up and I had to buy another set. I was hoping for something that would be able to push on all edges evenly. I'll try again tomorrow when I'm not so frustrated.

 

They should easily push right in. You did dig the old ones out right?

 

I freeze them first, which stiffens up the metal some and help a little. Just recently I bought an gasket installer tool a bit pricey but worked perfectly so far. They are about $35, so you gotta ask yourself if you will screw up that many gaskets. I do work for friends and all so I thought it was worth it.

 

Use a piece of PVC pipe to seat them in.

 

A lot of people don't realize that the TC exhaust gasket material is mashed into the head. I've seen people trying to install new exhaust pipes and they tear up a couple of sets of gaskets. I told them to buy a metal dental pick and look in the exhaust port with a strong flashlight. Low and behold, the head still has the old gasket installed. Once it is removed, you may install the new gasket with nothing more than finger pressure. I like the round copper gaskets myself.

 

I had read where some members had a hard time pushing the exhaust gaskets into place so I was prepared for it and I still had a hard time.
The post about freezing them makes sense. That will shrink them a bit and they should go in a little easier.
When I got my front wheel back from being re-chromed the hub wouldn't fit into it. I put the hub in the freezer for 2 hours and then it slipped right in. I did the same thing with the baffle in my Fat Cat muffler.
Tom