1st time exhaust pipe tips?

[bruce harle]

I just removed the right side exhaust on my '98 tourer.  It's the first time I've messed with them.  I was surprised how easy the nuts came off.  It made me wonder if there are any tips to re-assembly that I should be aware.

I"m replacing gaskets.  Wondering if I should put anti-seize (the silver crap you can't get out of clothes or off your hands!) or not.  I don't have a torque wrench and thus never normally use one, but again the nuts came off the header with a simple 'pop' which makes me want to get it right to make it as easy the next time.

also, any tips for the best wrench to use on the backside nuts, especially what I would call #2 from the front?  Used a swivel on a 1/4" drive socket to get loose, but concerned about the 'wedging' when I go to tighten it.

thanks in advance, the help on this board is priceless!

bruce

[roboto65]

Well they only take 7 ft lbs of torque so DO NOT tighten them to much they break easy and you will hate the earth you stand on if you do  . I have a craftsman 1/4 inch drive torque wrench and use it on these.
You will have to tighten them a few times after you put the new ones back on as the heat cycles will  crush the gasket a little more so keep checking them for a few days of riding.

[Dave Weaver]

Make sure the old ones are out before installing the new ones as sometimes the old ones will hang up in the engine block or headers.  As stated, tighten 7 ft/lb, after riding, re-tighten 7 ft/lb while engine is still warm, repeat several times.

[bruce harle]

you guys just saved me an enormous amount of time and serious frustration.  I have a tendency to overtighten anyway, the 1/4" drive suggestion is great to help.  I did look up into the exhaust ports and all three gaskets are up in there.  thank you thank you thank you.

if you are ever in the La Crosse WI area, send me a note and the first case is on me!

bruce

[Kingbee]

Bruce, that invitation is going to cost you a lot of beer.  The VOA national rally is in La Crosse this summer.

[hubcapsc]

you guys just saved me an enormous amount of time and serious frustration.  I have a tendency to overtighten anyway, the 1/4" drive suggestion is great to help.  I did look up into the exhaust ports and all three gaskets are up in there.  thank you thank you thank you.

if you are ever in the La Crosse WI area, send me a note and the first case is on me!

bruce

I've almost never been able to remove the headers and reuse the gaskets... they're like crushable hollow copper
rings... if you find you've got a leak now, and want to ride before HDL can ship you some new gaskets, you should
be able to get by with some high-temp silicone on the gaskets...

-Mike "heresy"