Exhaust Flange nut retorque
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
Exhaust Flange nut retorque
When you guys re-torque your exhaust flange nuts a second or even third time after installing a new head pipe, do you follow the same torque values and sequence, or just snug them up a little? I re-torqued my head pipe a second time after running it and it ran flawlessly. However, after a nice long ridethis weekend I'm getting indications of a minor exhaust leak. I'm not sure that continually re-torquing to the full values is a great thing once done twice? The gaskets were replaced new with the new header.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
I torque mine once and forget them, never had a problem. If you are continually having the re torque them then something is wrong. Never go above the stated value, even on the 2nd or 3rd time or you will pull that stud right out of the head. That may be what is happening already.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 728
Likes: 25
From: griffin ga
if the nut is backing off I double nut mine... just torque the 1st 1down... I run the motor a few time then allow to cool then check em agin.. & install a 2nd nut... hold the 1st while torquing the 2nd down...I also use stainless steel nuts...just so thay will come off better for future use..just my ideas...
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
They are not coming loose and still feel tight. However, I like to re- torque flange nuts after an initial warm up period. When I re-torqued they took more to put it at the correct torque again. This weekend I started to get a slight indication of an exhaust leak in performance and since I hear so much here about them coming loose, I thought I'd check with you guys.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 400
Likes: 3
From: SouthWest, CA
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 974
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake Virginia
You don't say what pipes you are running but if you have a bracket clamped to the pipe at the starter bracket you should loosen the keps nut at the starter bracket when you torque the flange nuts at the head. If the pipe moves in this will hold it in the new position when you tighten the keps nut.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I hand tighten (light) after install, and then do the same multiple times after warm-up/cool down. At about the third time they are where they need to be and don't tighten anymore. It seems to me the gasket will continue to compress during the first couple of heat cycles. I've check with my torque wrench and I don't even use the prescribed amount - don't want to risk snapping a stud. I am a believer in using a torque wrench everywhere else.
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
I hand tighten (light) after install, and then do the same multiple times after warm-up/cool down. At about the third time they are where they need to be and don't tighten anymore. It seems to me the gasket will continue to compress during the first couple of heat cycles. I've check with my torque wrench and I don't even use the prescribed amount - don't want to risk snapping a stud. I am a believer in using a torque wrench everywhere else.
I have never tightened flange nuts to the point that a stud could snap. I figure if I've tightened the nuts to the point that the gasket is compressed as far as it will go and I'm bottoming the header flange in the head, its time for new gaskets?
The reason I'm asking about an exhaust leak is because I suddendly started to experinece an up shift pop ocassionally.