Greetings!

I have an 83' Shovel. I've replaced the gasket and bolt on the front cylinder exhaust and recently the rear cylinder exhaust bolt backed out. I got a new bolt because someone had mangled the allen head on the old one.

New bolt, with loctite and a lock washer, didn't hold. Tried various things and it continued to loosen while riding. Now the threads don't seem to be holding at all. Is this a time for a heli coil? Do those hold well and for a long time?

Thanks for any advice,

Max

 

never used on on a header, but on various high torque applications I have seem them work beautifully. vibration should not be a problem, I dont know about the heat but I cant think of why they shouldn't be able to handle it...

 

The stud may be the route to go...

I just saw an "exhaust port lock kit" on a website.... looks pretty cool, claims to really work well.

 

After you repair the threads make sure that the pipe is properly supported. The exhaust port bolt was never intended to support the weight of the pipe.

 

Always use studs even after the heli coil

 

I always use helicoil, then a bolt with lockwasher and nut, hand tighten the bolt then hold with wrench and tighten the nut, don't bottom the bolt.

 

I appreciate the good advice!

Max

 

I seem to remember (maybe here) about exhaust studs that were oversized on the head side. Anyone know where these are available?
Thanks

 

Have had a heli coil in my front head over 10 years now.

 

Beemervet I have a set of those studs They are for the shovel rocker boxes ( orig 5/16 )