I've got a '75 shovelhead FLH with an exhaust leak at the heads.  Have tried everything I know.  Tried double-stacking gaskets, tried moving the exhaust brackets, replaced old exhaust studs, pushed, pulled, loosened and tightened, all to no avail. The main problem I see is the shovelheads only come with one exhaust stud on each head.  Any suggestion?

Trade it in for a Honda. Sorry I was Just Joking.

Try some red or Black RTV to seal the Leak.

leaking at thehead? ( where the exhaust pipe attaches?, if so, put a small straightedge to it, and see if it might be warped?

I'd find some size appropriate Steel Meshed Donuts used in car exhausts, the sort of act like a crush washer in the fact that the deform under load when tightening the exhaust flange/pipe.

I'd also check for straightness and thouroughly clean the surface as well, then apply some Permatex Copper RTV and let it set for a full 24 hours before starting the motor.

Steel meshed donuts?  Not sure Im familiar with those.  I personal prefer the sugar coated.  Would the red/black sealant cause problems (i.e. if it were to leak into the head, or possibly degrade/catch fire under the extreme heat)?  Shovelheads are kinda like baby G's in the fact that they are known to run pretty hot.

i agree on maybe warped i would check the headers see if they at flat.

I dont think they're warped, and if they were, I mean this gap is freakin enormous.  It's not off my a coupla millimeters, we're talking 1/4 of an inch here.  And Im a littler drunk right now , so checkin the heads is out of the question.  Damnit, why can't things ever go as expected.  Are there no such things as direct bolt ons!

Quote from: Big Lou on August 08, 2008, 08:12:46 PM
Steel meshed donuts?  Not sure Im familiar with those.  I personal prefer the sugar coated.  Would the red/black sealant cause problems (i.e. if it were to leak into the head, or possibly degrade/catch fire under the extreme heat)?  Shovelheads are kinda like baby G's in the fact that they are known to run pretty hot.

Find the Copper based RTV, much Much better for your app

when you sober up, can you post 2 pics, one of teh gap,, and 2 a bit further back from same side, so ic an see exactly what you are seeing. i work on these old bastages, and yours is not the first problem like this, ( ive seen this on multiple bikes, both HD, and a few japs, and one italian too. so pics would help ALOT. anyhooi await your reply. take care

here are the pics, sorry for the poor quality.

regarding the last two pics, id check 3 things. first, remove exhaust, and see if something is knocking its alignment outta whack. ( somewhat unlikely but not unheard of), 2. with exhaust off, check and see if exhaust flange is warped, and 3 check the head see if it is warped in that area. ( with a straightedge. cause something is WAAAAAY outta whack

muchas grassyass yam.  will do and let you know.

kk
gotta love them old shovels, even if they throw the ocasional snit