Flange!

[grimsqueaker]

Nope not an expleitive, but does anyone have any tips to make sure the exhaust flange's stay together cos im having a problem with part of the flange opposite the bolt coming away from the head when i tighten the exhaust bracket at t'other end, now this is obviously not creating a seal so any ideas, tips or bodges?

[panheadpete]

Well, I'd assemble everything loosely then start tightening up (a bit at a time) at the exhaust pipe/head joint 1st; if then any further joint felt tight to fit together I'd check for anything bent or brackets interfereing; everything should slip together smoothly, as they say (!).
Cheers,
Pete

[grbrown]

Agree with Pete. By tightening up at the head first the pipe is slightly out of alignment when you come to tighten the rear end. Sneak up on it a bit at a time!

[Noddy]

Personally I tighten the head end first, then 'adjust' the frame bracket to suit. By doing it this way, there is no stress put on the head, the exhaust or the bracket and hopefully no cracking of anything...
I have also found it good practice to fit either a longer stud or a longer than required bolt that bottoms out in the head hole, with TWO locking nuts (put the locking nuts on the bolt first before fitting to the head) then tighten the first nut down so every thing is tight, while holding the first one still with one spanner, thighten the second nut with another spanner to lock very thing in place....job done.
Using this method (for many years) I find my nuts do not come loose in my head! and every thing stays where it should be.. ooo er misses .

[grimsqueaker]

thanks guys using a mixture of all techniques offered everything is now tight and sealed.....ish, just one mod i had to make which might be a bit of a sod if it turns out to be the sort of rubber that melts,

you know those rubber mounts that normally hold the oiltanks on?
well a spare one is now inbetween the bracket and exhaust (as i say i hope its not the sort of rubber that melts )

could i claim this as a semi rubber mounted shovel