Header Flange Bolts

[yegg]

Ok, here is the dumb question of the day. The top flange bolt for my rear header will not stay tight. I do not want to use thread locking compound. Has anyone else had this problem?

I’m really considering putting a snap ring on the thread above the nut after it is tightened down. Any other suggestions?


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[NGOT8R]

Ok, here is the dumb question of the day. The top flange bolt for my rear header will not stay tight. I do not want to use thread locking compound. Has anyone else had this problem?

I’m really considering putting a snap ring on the thread above the nut after it is tightened down. Any other suggestions?


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Try removing the flange nuts and spraying brake and parts cleaner on the studs and nuts to degrease them and then torque them down per factory specs. Let me know if you need me to take a pic of the procedure in my service manual and post it here later tonight. Mine have never come loose using this method.

 

[yegg]

Thanks. I have a service manual. But here is a question for you. Does the sequence matter even though they are true duals and therefore not connected?


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[NGOT8R]

Thanks. I have a service manual. But here is a question for you. Does the sequence matter even though they are true duals and therefore not connected?


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Yes, it matters because what you are trying to achieve is pulling the header flanges down toward the heads evenly. If you don't do this, you risk obtaining a good seal. One other thing I do is, I use a 1/2" crow's-foot on the end of my in-lbs torque wrench to access the bottom nut on the front exhaust stud. The other three nuts can be easily accessed with a 1/2" deep socket and a long extension.

 

[Mojo]

my 2014 had this problem. re tighten it and add another bolt in front of it. Problem solved!
I used aircraft grade 12 point nuts.

 

[yegg]

Header Flange Bolts

My nuts were taken in the divorce.


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[TomA]

Another thing you might want to check is the mounting brackets for you exhaust. Had a couple bolts snap off during a tire change and didn't notice until I had lost a nut off the flange. Took a little while to figure out why it kept coming loose. If you ever watch some of these apes changing a tire they grab and jerk and bend up or down just to get room to remove the rear axle.

 

[SG19]

Are your retaining rings seating inside your flange's , I ended up buying new retaining rings as one wouldn't seat properly in the flange making it uneven.

 

[CoHam]

I’ve been having the same problem, same nut. I also have true duals, the V&H Dresser Duals. Is that what you have? I’ve been thinking the cause might be the V&H exhaust gasket. It’s flat to mate with the pipes, unlike the stock beveled gasket that mates with the stock pipe. I have the top end apart to install a 110 kit. When it goes back together I’m going to try the brake cleaner suggestion, and crows foot for that front nut.
“nuts taken in the divorce”, LMAO!

 

[TerryRH]

My nuts were taken in the divorce.


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Expected this but still funny nonetheless haha

I will have to try this.

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[yegg]

I’ve been having the same problem, same nut. I also have true duals, the V&H Dresser Duals. Is that what you have? I’ve been thinking the cause might be the V&H exhaust gasket. It’s flat to mate with the pipes, unlike the stock beveled gasket that mates with the stock pipe.

Yes, I have the Dresser Duals. I had everything apart (which is when the problem started - figures) to replace my cam cover. When I did the reassembly, I used the HD Screaming Eagle gaskets which are flat as well.

I think I’ll pretend I’m in my 20s again and just double nut it. Bwahahaha



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[Tonybfast]

I have the same problem on my 2016 SGS. It’s the only one that won’t stay tight. So I ended up putting another nut on top of it and that is the temporary fix.

 

[CoHam]

So, I finished the rebuild. Didn't need to use brake cleaner because the heads were completely cleaned when the port work was done. I didn't want to double-nut it, worried about getting a wrench in there later when trying to remove it. I wanted one solution for both front and back exhaust port.

So, starting with very clean exhaust port bolts, I used new serrated flange nuts that I bought instead of the smooth stock ones. I could not find them at Lowes, Home Depot, Autozone, or O'Reily's in the right size, so I bought them online. I have included a photo. Murphy's Law, the weather went bad just as I completed the rebuild, so I haven't been able to put miles on it. I'll try to remember to report back once the weather allows about 1000 miles on it.

 

[SG19]

I was thinking star washers but this looks like a better / cleaner looking idea.