Topic: 74 CB550 Lots of changes, cant seem to get my header to seal, tips? tricks?

[pirate4pleasure]

hey guys you all have been really helpful in making changes to my project bike but I have been having a hell of a time getting my header to seat and seal properly. My understanding was that the flanges makes a compression fitting with the keepers and the bolting them in pushed them into the head, but it seems that they still slide a bit and im not getting a good seal?

what gives how can I fix this?

thanks

[manosteel]

I believe there are copper gasket seals inside the manifold, if they are not there or worn maybe your not getting a good seal...

[pirate4pleasure]

it looks to me that there are copper gaskets inside, but what it seems to be doing is the keepers are not clamping down on the pipe, it just slides through tho the keepers are fully seated in the flange

[Deltarider]

I'm afraid you have mounted the collars (8x) the wrong way around. The flange should face forward.
And yes there should be copper gaskets.

[pirate4pleasure]

I'm afraid you have mounted the collars the wrong way around. The flange should face forward.
And yes there should be copper caskets.

Yes! I am an idiot

as I sat starring at it that was one of my thought, also why I posted a picture.

thank you good sir

[killersoundz]

Related question. I'm putting an aftermarket 4-1 on my bike which required me to take the spigots off so the new pipes will butt right up against the copper gaskets. Will I need to replace those every time I need to pull the exhaust off? I'm guessing yes probably...

[pirate4pleasure]

well it depend on the type or washer, some if they are crush washers will need to changed out but from just taking a look at mine they look like flat copper gaskets approx 1/8th in thick. which I do not believe need to be changed out unless leaking etc.

[Deltarider]

The copper gaskets that are between the head and the collars have to be renewed every time, I'm afraid.

[pirate4pleasure]

There you go, Always good to ask the collective!

[matt mattison]

You can re anneal the copper crush washers with a blow torch and re use too.

[Deltarider]

You can re anneal the copper crush washers with a blow torch and re use too.

Any pics of that?

[pirate4pleasure]

I have a pic and description in a restoration book, ill get it on tonight

[TwoTired]

You can re anneal the copper crush washers with a blow torch and re use too.

True for solid copper.  But, the crush washers used in this application begin life in the shape of a doughnut and are crushed flat during installation.  Anealing won't bring back the doughnut shape.  They will still be flat and non-conformant to the header flange position changes.

You do need to hold the muffler end of the pipe in close proximity to final position BEFORE cinching down the header nuts.  Otherwise the weight of the pipe will cause uneven crush of the doughnut.  Lifting the muffler end later will expose a gap at the washer, due to pivot mechanics.

The washer seals between head port and header pipe flange.

[matt mattison]

True, the will not go back to that donut shape. However, they become soft again and seal. I had done this several times and no leaks. Heat them up till they turn red,and let the washers air cool.