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Squish fit for the gaskets,, they actually allow for movement.
Think about it,, the engine moves on rubber mounts,, the rear of the exhaust pipes are mounted solid,, somethings gotta give someplace.
The whole system is designed to flex.
What your instincts want you to do (tighten all the way) is the common mistake folks make when mounting exhaust to the heads.
Squish fit for the gaskets,, they actually allow for movement.
Think about it,, the engine moves on rubber mounts,, the rear of the exhaust pipes are mounted solid,, somethings gotta give someplace.
The whole system is designed to flex.
What your instincts want you to do (tighten all the way) is the common mistake folks make when mounting exhaust to the heads.
makes sense. Do different exhaust makes fit a little different? I saw a post where someone's thunderheaders flanges were flush to the base of engine.
I saw a post where someone's thunderheaders flanges were flush to the base of engine.
Yeah, and he probably had leaking and backfiring issues he either thought where normal or just didn't tell us.
Folks like to brag on the good stuff but never say anything about the screw-up's.
Squish fit for the gaskets,, they actually allow for movement.
Think about it,, the engine moves on rubber mounts,, the rear of the exhaust pipes are mounted solid,, somethings gotta give someplace.
The whole system is designed to flex.
What your instincts want you to do (tighten all the way) is the common mistake folks make when mounting exhaust to the heads.
Damn I never thought of that, I'm sure I over tightened mine. Do you think that would contribute to the little mounting tab breaking off on my Y-pipe under the seat? It's probably shaking the hell out of that rear header.
Could be.(?)
It's a pretty common issue with all bikes and all the nut's/bolts.
Most shade tree mechanics (myself included) are used to working on auto's and get thing's tight,, bikes use Aluminum and other soft alloys and don't have 12ft to spread movement from one end to the other.
I learned my lessons years ago when my local Independent mechanic installed the 12th Helicoil on my bike chewing my *** the whole time about getting a book and torque wrench.
He used a lot of 4 letter words while making reference to the difference between Dumb and Stupid
Is it ok if the rear o2 sensor wire brushes against the engine? I rerouted it as it was before, but I can't remember if it touched or not. I don't see how it could not touch unless I used cable ties. Is it ok if it touches? Pic attached:
Installed finally. Damn these things are louder than I thought. Didnt get to ride her yet, though. I got a couple of last questions hoping someone could help me out on:
1) refer to above post about the o2 wire.
2) I held my hand around the headers / flange area to test for leaks. Is it easy to tell if there's a leak? I didn't feel any obvious air blowing on my hand. I felt heat radiating out of the rear cyclinder section but I'm not sure if that was just heat from the engine vibrating hot air in that tight space. Is it usually obvious?
3) can I run these without a tuner temporarily? I need to install the air cleaner before downloading a correct map on my fp3 which I was gonna do next weekend. They don't have a big shots with stock air filter map.
Thanks all for the continual help. I've attached a pic and you can also see the extra clamp bracket left on as was discussed before. No biggie if you ask me.
1) refer to above post about the o2 wire. You mean this?
I don't see how it could not touch unless I used cable ties.
Then use cable ties like everyone else, including HD.
2) I held my hand around the headers / flange area to test for leaks. Is it easy to tell if there's a leak? I didn't feel any obvious air blowing on my hand. I felt heat radiating out of the rear cyclinder section but I'm not sure if that was just heat from the engine vibrating hot air in that tight space. Is it usually obvious? Yes, it's obvious,, it makes a different sound that can be heard too.
3) Can I run these without a tuner temporarily? I need to install the air cleaner before downloading a correct map, Yes, run it without fear, there will be little change to the Air/Fuel mixture until you change to the Stage 1 AC
Thanks Jon. The stock o2 wire wasn't cable tied. I just couldn't remember if it brushed against the engine or not. I can cable tie it though if it shouldn't touch anything.
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