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Message started by 45acp on 04/01/13 at 17:12:07

Title: gasket? or no.
Post by 45acp on 04/01/13 at 17:12:07

hey guys,
i have a 2004 savage. i put in the modded tensioner the other day. when i was going back together with it. i noticed there was no exhaust gasket where it mates up to the engine. should there be one? i just made sure both sufaces were cleaned up and put it back on. it doesnt sound bad. if it is supposed to have one though i want to get it done.
previous owner was a moron ::). when i met him to check it out the tire pressure was so low it didnt even register on my tire guage. he rode it there by the way. couldnt pass it up for $1050 though.

Title: Re: gasket? or no.
Post by ohio thumper on 04/01/13 at 17:29:45

its a crush gasket, i would replace it if i was in your shoes. prevent leaking on down the road

Title: Re: gasket? or no.
Post by Oldfeller on 04/01/13 at 17:43:54

If you have cause to take the pipe off again, check the inner lip of the head mounting flange surface for a conformed crushed gasket. Once they get mashed, they tend to blend in with the flange surface ..... invisible, in other words.

Title: Re: gasket? or no.
Post by Borracho on 04/01/13 at 18:43:20

I took my exhaust off today and noticed the same thing.

Title: Re: gasket? or no.
Post by 45acp on 04/01/13 at 18:53:50

thanks ohiothumper and old feller. maybe i just missed it. i was looking at prices and they are cheap. so guess ill just change it out for grinsies.

Title: Re: gasket? or no.
Post by Dave on 04/02/13 at 04:53:54

When the gasket is new it has some white fibers contained within a silver foil material on the ID and OD. When it is new it will be a loose fit in the recessed area at the exhaust port. As you tighten the exhaust system it crushes and expands and becomes a tight fit.....the next time you take the header pipe off the gasket will not fall out - as it has been crushed and expanded into the recess.

You can take the header pipe off and reinstall it without a leak if you are careful to get the head pipe seated and tighten the two header bolts evenly. Put anti-sieze on the header bolts and just snug them up and be careful not to make them too tight. We have had several people over the years break the studs off while trying to remove them......and getting the broken pieces out of the cylinder head has been a major task for them.....sometimes it requires an engine tear down and replacement cylinder.

Title: Re: gasket? or no.
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/02/13 at 07:01:23

Only tighten those studs w/ the engine cold. Its Ever so much better to need to snug them up in a few months than to try to fix it when ya strip or break one. 1/4" ratchet, thumb on the head of the ratchet, open hand, just the pressure created by closing the fingers is enough to do that job.
A secretary can handle it.

Title: Re: gasket? or no.
Post by EJID on 04/02/13 at 07:38:42

Here's some pics of a new and old exhaust gasket from when I replaced mine...

http://p1.bikepics.com/2011/05/29/bikepics-2216295-full.jpg
http://p1.bikepics.com/2011/05/29/bikepics-2216296-full.jpg

Title: Re: gasket? or no.
Post by 45acp on 04/02/13 at 08:51:57

thanks again guys!
when i got my bike it didnt have studs holding the exhaust to the engine. it had a bolt. yep just one. the muffler wasnt bolted to the frame either. it was just one bolt in the engine and the heat sheild holding that sucker on. :o i put bolts in it, but i guess ill get some studs and do it right. you learn something new everyday.

Title: Re: gasket? or no.
Post by Dave on 04/02/13 at 08:56:08

45ACP

The stock header fasteners are bolts with chrome plated acorn heads.

Title: Re: gasket? or no.
Post by 45acp on 04/02/13 at 09:17:22

is there any good reason not to use studs there? it might be easier on the threads in the cylinder. not that i take the exhaust on or off alot.

Title: Re: gasket? or no.
Post by Dave on 04/02/13 at 09:24:42

The studs would work.....the stock acorn head bolts are probably a fashion statement.