reuse exhaust gaskets?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,853
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I say buy a new set. for the money (mine were like 10 buck's!) it is worth it. and there is a torque spec. cant remember what it was I just put short shot's on my bike. but spec's came with new pipe's.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 51
From: Cincinnati
I didn't change my gaskets when I changed my pipes and I had a leak. I went back and changed them and the leak went away. They are $12 for a standard set and it doesn't hurt. I went tot he service desk and asked about the specs. The guy pulled out his book and gave them to me. I think it was no more then 18 pounds per INCH, but don't quote me on it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,438
Likes: 6
From: Gulf Coast of Mississippi
I don't know... you paid "x" amount for the pipes... another $10 for gaskets???... what the hell... do it...
I did go into an Indy one time for gaskets for my Sportster... they looked at me like I was crazy... asked me why I was changing gaskets...
I said... do you have some or not...
People like that scare me...
Charlie D.
I did go into an Indy one time for gaskets for my Sportster... they looked at me like I was crazy... asked me why I was changing gaskets...
I said... do you have some or not...
People like that scare me...
Charlie D.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Its just too cheap not to. I'm not to sure how it works but when I went to the dealer for aset to use when I put on my new pipes the parts guy asked if I was replacing the stock pipes or putting on aftermarket ones.
When I asked why he needed to know he told me that they stocked two different ones. They had the normal ones used for stock pipes and a square kind for aftermarket pipes.
I put the square ones in for V&H pipes and havn't had any problems at all.
Just be sure you get ALL of the old gasket out before you put the new one in. The gasket is made of a woven metal materal like steel wool and can get packed in the head so tightly that it looks just like the head and you think all of it is out but it isn't.
When I asked why he needed to know he told me that they stocked two different ones. They had the normal ones used for stock pipes and a square kind for aftermarket pipes.
I put the square ones in for V&H pipes and havn't had any problems at all.
Just be sure you get ALL of the old gasket out before you put the new one in. The gasket is made of a woven metal materal like steel wool and can get packed in the head so tightly that it looks just like the head and you think all of it is out but it isn't.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
Ultra high temp Copper RTV (Permatex). I use this on every exhaust application, new gaskets or old. I have had zero exhaust leaks.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Alden, NY
Definitely new gaskets. For what it's worth, When I changed out stock exhausts last year to V & H true duals, I went to my HD dealer to buy the screaming eagle gaskets. One of their tech's happened to be at the counter and suggested the stock gaskets - said they had had better luck with them sealing with the V & H installs they had done. I followed his suggestion and have had no problems.
