Changing the head pipe on a 2014 SGS
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 259
Likes: 2
From: Milton, FL
Changing the head pipe on a 2014 SGS
Just ordered a catless head pipe off e-bay. $135 with free shipping and no exchange. Sounded like a pretty good deal to me.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure I need to put new exhaust gaskets on the flanges where they bolt to the cylinder but are there any other gaskets i.e. crossover etc. that I need to order. Also, will I need to replace all the clamps with new ones? I heard they stretch during installation and cannot be re-used. Thanks.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure I need to put new exhaust gaskets on the flanges where they bolt to the cylinder but are there any other gaskets i.e. crossover etc. that I need to order. Also, will I need to replace all the clamps with new ones? I heard they stretch during installation and cannot be re-used. Thanks.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 62
Likes: 3
From: Buffalo NY
same question
Hope you don't mind me piggybacking here .
I have the header pipe but waiting for new 2014 limited. I am wondering if I should try this myself ? If only a few miles will I need to change gaskets ? Are there any tricks for removal and install or just simple in and out ?
Rick
I have the header pipe but waiting for new 2014 limited. I am wondering if I should try this myself ? If only a few miles will I need to change gaskets ? Are there any tricks for removal and install or just simple in and out ?
Rick
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
The exhaust gaskets are usually ok to reuse a couple times. Harley says the clamps are one time use but I got way reusing them a couple times too?? No special tricks, just make sure the snap rings and flanges go together properly and get every thing lined up before torquing everything up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
i've reused the exhaust gaskets a couple of times, and the clamps as well. seems though after the second or third use, the clamp doesn't want to hold as tightly. so one use, i'll use it again, if it's already been used twice, i'll buy the new clamp. it isn't like they are super expensive anyway.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: kansas
you can reuse the flange gaskets "generally" but if you got time order new ones. I just did my 14 FLHXS by cutting the pipe, drilling the cat out and re welding (same thing your getting off ebay) and reused everything.
Tricky part is always getting the pipes/clamps/shields back on in the same spot so it "looks" good/even and heat shields don't rub or rattle and the pipes are even and sticking out the back even distance.
Just take a few pic's of the before and you will be fine. But keep in mind to that the factory isn't always perfect to so on mine I was able to get things pretty good almost perfectly symmetrical . .... paul
Tricky part is always getting the pipes/clamps/shields back on in the same spot so it "looks" good/even and heat shields don't rub or rattle and the pipes are even and sticking out the back even distance.
Just take a few pic's of the before and you will be fine. But keep in mind to that the factory isn't always perfect to so on mine I was able to get things pretty good almost perfectly symmetrical . .... paul
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I've done this several times. I always buy new gaskets cause they are cheap and I only wanna do that project once. 2 header gaskets and and 1 crossover gasket. Only use the regular stock header gaskets if you buy new not the SE ones. You can reuse the clamp but if you wanna a new one there only about 8 bucks. The key to a succesful leak free install is the correct torque specs. I believe 120 inch lbs for the head nuts and 45 foot lbs for the clamp. (going from memory on those.) BTW I put one of those ebay cat removed pipes on my last SG and the heat from welding it back together made the pipe off or something and the right muffler was closer to fender than the left no matter how much I tried to adjust it. This time I just spent the money and installed a V&H power duals pipe which looks and sounds great. But installing it is a pain in the butt compared to the stock style ones.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 386
Likes: 4
From: ND
I also installed a catless header off of EBAY; since my SG has only 10 miles on it, I reused the gaskets as they all looked good. The crossover clamp had to be tweaked a bit but everything went back together fine with no leaks. I have reused the muffler clamps a few times on other Harleys but about the 3rd or 4th time of reuse they need replacing as they did not tighten up enough. FYI the pipe I got off of ebay was sprayed with silver paint in the area of the reweld. I used a paint thinner to remove the paint and sprayed the area with a high temp ceramic coating. The exhaust note is a little louder. I'll drive it like this after the snow melts and decide on a decent exhaust system down the road.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 603
From: Myrtle Beach SC
You guys can reuse your old headpipe gaskets all you want but I think it's much smarter and easier to put new ones on. Not all head pipes have the same construction where the pipe meets the cylinder head. Even a small exhaust leak at the head can cause engine problems or damage and eventually you will have to remove the whole system then and reassemble it because you were too stingy to buy new gaskets. Cheap insurance. A leaky head pipe gasket will usually show itself with a ticking noise when running. I use the SE type thin gaskets with any headpipe set up that isn't OEM Harley. Often use them with Harley systems too. Systems that come with gaskets like V&H headpipes all use a SE style thin gasket, they are easier in install and flow better. The clamp info I agree with, use them 3 or 4 times then replace them. Factory torque is 40 ft lbs for muffler clamps and 30 for crossover clamps.
Last edited by Gunnysgt; Feb 3, 2014 at 03:08 PM.
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