Refitting Ultra header pipes
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
Refitting Ultra header pipes
Greetings all, looking for some insight from knowledgeable folk out there.
2010 Ultra Limited...
I needed to replace the exhaust gaskets and getting back together is driving me crazy, I must be missing a trick somewhere..
I have removed mufflers, cross pipe and heat shield and got pipes off easily enough. Fitted gaskets no problem (tapered HD stock type).
I didn't remove O2 sensors as didn't seem necessary.
Now I can't seem to get it back in place without catching the gaskets (either front or back) - there must be a trick to this
2010 Ultra Limited...
I needed to replace the exhaust gaskets and getting back together is driving me crazy, I must be missing a trick somewhere..
I have removed mufflers, cross pipe and heat shield and got pipes off easily enough. Fitted gaskets no problem (tapered HD stock type).
I didn't remove O2 sensors as didn't seem necessary.
Now I can't seem to get it back in place without catching the gaskets (either front or back) - there must be a trick to this
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
Thanks for these responses, it certainly made it easier but...
After the first go the rear still leaked very badly so I assumed I had damaged gasket so had another go with a new gasket and it leaked just as badly.
I stripped down again and checked the pipe for a crack, nothing.
Third time and still no good, the front seals perfectly every time and the gasket on the rear seemed perfect.
I am tightening up nice and even so I am sure I am doing it right.
Any ideas please, I am stumped now and can't even ride to the dealer!!
After the first go the rear still leaked very badly so I assumed I had damaged gasket so had another go with a new gasket and it leaked just as badly.
I stripped down again and checked the pipe for a crack, nothing.
Third time and still no good, the front seals perfectly every time and the gasket on the rear seemed perfect.
I am tightening up nice and even so I am sure I am doing it right.
Any ideas please, I am stumped now and can't even ride to the dealer!!
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
I am thinking about trying the alternative square section gasket rather than the taper - anyone had experience on that as an option? I am using standard headers
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 5,317
Having had my share of exhaust leaks from installing, removing and reinstalling head pipes and having used stock Harley tapered gaskets, I finally settled on Screamin Eagle gaskets. I don't know why they're any better at sealing than stock gaskets, but they worked for me. I did, though, double up on them because I read that others were doing the same thing. Supposedly, they don't restrict like the tapered exhaust gaskets. At least, that's what I read. YMMV
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 600
From: SoCal.....I'm only here for the weather
Proper seating of the gaskets, as others have said, is critical. I used to fight this all the time until I found a socket in my tool box that slips into the counterbore with about 1/32" clearance. Now I can seat the S/E gaskets with ease and no more problems with the header install.