found an exhaust leak at the muffler connection to the 2:1 header using the garden hose method. Is that really enough to cause decel popping from that far away from the exhaust opening??

 

yes


seal it, if you reused a torca clamp, it may be "egged"

mike

 

Did you use a new clamp?

 

Not to hijack the thread but what is this garden hose method?

 

I would like to know too.
I know a leak will cause popping, I've had 2 Harley's do that over the years.

 

Just tagging myself in this thread because I'm curious too.

 

No, i didnt know the collector (torca) clamp needed to be replaced. After taking it off i noticed the bolt is slightly bent and the surface area of the clamp beneath the bolt is out of shape not allowing a flush fit around the collector. Now i know to replace those. In the meantime i'm going to re-use it. I put two beads of high temp rtv sealant around the end of the exhaust and slipped the collector on. Hope fully this will work until i get a new clamp.

Garden hose method
I cut 3' off the end of a hose. Had my wife put a piece of wood flush up against the end of the exhaust. She also covered the Thunderheader reversion cone opening with a towel. I put one end of the hose to my ear and the other end to all areas where leakage could occur. This method rocks. There's no guessing on whether it leaks or not cause you'll notice the difference, night and day. This trick was just shared to me by Steve Cole @ TTS. Thanks Steve! Something a little smaller diameter than a garden hose would be ideal. I also tried without someone blocking the end of the exhaust and it still works.

Instantly prior to trying this i tried the smoke method using incense. I tried matches too. Everything looked good so i thought what the hell lets try the garden hose too. Smoke method just plain doesnt work.

 

I had a flat on the road a few years back, when the shop put the mufflers back on they tightened the clamp to tight and it made my pipe out-of-round and would "pop" had to buy a tailpipe expansion tool to get the pipe close to round agian so there was no leak and pop