Welding Shovelheads
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 47
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From:
Welding Shovelheads
Anyone here welded on shovelheads? I have the stripped exhaust bolt blues. Was wondering if anyone has welded on these heads. I have an insert I would like to tack in the stripped out hole. The insert tightens down snug, but doesn't stay. I would like tack it so it doesn't back out. Don't know if my mig will do it. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
You have an aluminum insert for your exhaust bolt hole? I have not seen an aluminum insert for hosed threaded holes. If so, I would think that a tig unit would work better for tacking it in place. I would find a welder with a tig welding machine. You will probably have to run a tap in the hole to make sure the threads are straight after the welding. A guy on here (haven't seen any posts from him for a while) used to suggest using a stepped stud with a 3/8" end and 5/16" on the other end. He recommended drilling and tapping the head for the 3/8" end. That way you still have the stock size 5/16" threaded fastener end for the exhaust flange. I don't remember what he used to keep the stud from backing out of the head. Perhaps red or green Locktite?
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 6
From: Port Charlotte, Florida
Find a good local welder shop and he probably wouldn't charge you much to do it. Another hillbilly option would be to put it in with JB weld on the insert i have seen engine blocks with JB weld on them and hold.
How much room you got can you drill it and tap it for a different style insert that would have the same threads for your exhaust but the insert itself bigger so you can drill and tap the hole so its tight?
How much room you got can you drill it and tap it for a different style insert that would have the same threads for your exhaust but the insert itself bigger so you can drill and tap the hole so its tight?
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7
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From:
heli-coil inserts, thats the brand name, they come in a kit with all the parts. drill, tap, insert. all u've gotta supply is the electric drill and some loctite for the insert, if the stripped out hole isn't horribly hogged out it should work fine.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Gastonia, NC
There's a couple of people that make 3 bolt flanges that you weld in. Another thought...
here's a link for the guy i deal with...
http://www.floheadworks.com/Services..._solutions.htm
here's a link for the guy i deal with...
http://www.floheadworks.com/Services..._solutions.htm
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 47
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From:
The hillbilly option didn't work. JB weld doesn't hold up to exhaust temps(burns out). I put just enough to hold the insert in. Lasted about 10 min.
The head had already been drilled and an insert put in when I got it. The insert snugs down, just won't stay in. It doesn't quite catch enough threads.
Just tryin to find something that will get me through the rest of the season without tearin the bike down.
Thanks for the input.
The head had already been drilled and an insert put in when I got it. The insert snugs down, just won't stay in. It doesn't quite catch enough threads.
Just tryin to find something that will get me through the rest of the season without tearin the bike down.
Thanks for the input.
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Weld
I had the same problem. I got a helicoil kit and put one in. The kit tells you how to do it, its very easy. Mines been in 5 yrs. and still holding!!
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
step studs always worked for us, if the hole was too damaged we will install a 3/8" helicoil and then the step stud. also some of the aftermarket exhaust do not fit well, and put undue stress on the flange. I will always leave the lower mounting brackets loose and tighten up the flanges, then shim or adjust the brackets to meet the exhaust. once I started doing it that way, our shovel exhaust problems stopped.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 5
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From: Warren,michigan
See a tool&die welder.I've welded these many times.Burn out the boss area & weld
the boss. File or machine it down & drill & tap the new holes perferably with a heli coil. You should be good to go
the boss. File or machine it down & drill & tap the new holes perferably with a heli coil. You should be good to go