Use a little (a little dab will do ya) anti-seize on the exhaust exhaust port studs and as far as I'm concerned, why guess with the gaskets & clamps. Replace them, it's not much money and I consider it preventive aggravation. I also torque in the middle of the required torque spec which should allow for any inaccuracies in your torque wrench.

 

Vance and Hines are using the same clamps that Harley uses. I think they changed this sometime last year.

 

1. Yes
2. Sometimes
3. Never

 

I didn't always change the head bolts when replacing head gaskets on some of the vehicles I owned until the gaskets leaked and I learned that the tork to yield bolts once torked will have a tendancy to stretch. For what the clamps cost I would just replace them.

 

yes to the gaskets, yes to the clamps and no to the sealant. trust me, the clamps after taking apart once or twice are no good, u blow your muffler off the pipe. for the price of them, its stupid not to. they are covered under warrantte, because the dealer replaced them for free for me. but i was also 200 miles from home when it gave out, and its because i had them off a couple times

 

I agree replace the clamps, I just got back from a 1700 mile ride and one pipe was just about to fall off, new clams a 8 bucks ea

 

i have reused head exhaust gasket if it is a first exhaust change.

i have reused the clamps all the time. I always put on anti seize on the threads of the clamp so i can accurately torque the clamp to spec with a torque wrench.

never used sealant. never had exhaust leak

 

I just installed true duals on my Ultra and had to replace the 2 Torca Clamps for the mufflers. I used them on 3 different mufflers but this time, they didn't want to slip over the flange of the mufflers. They were too tight, even fully loosened.

 

Sometimes

Rarely

Always

 

I used to reuse the clamps on Sportsters forever. I did it a few times on my Ultra and it got in the habit of dropping the left side muffler. It even happened with a new clamp for some reason.

So I fixed it permanently. I installed a SuperTrapp 2/1 Supermeg.