I found my muffler clamp loose and muffler loose the other day and it had some black soot around the pipe connection so I tightened it. Today I checked it and it was still tight, but there is more black soot. Obviously it is still leaking air at the joint. What can I put on to seal it?

 

Not another loose exhaust clamp, [sm=WTFsgign.gif]! How about some high temp duct tape[:@]?

 

Some high temp silicone will do the job. I would also open up the end of the pipe a bit to give a tighter seal. Also set the clamp up to the leading edge of the muffler over the slits for a better seal.

 

I know, I know T-Rex CLAMPLESS I'll try the high temp silicone. What's the best way to open up the end of the pipe a bit?

 

A pipe expander would work well if you can get your hands on one. If not, then you could take the pipe and muffler to a muffler shop and have them expand it on their hydrallic pipe machine. Otherwise it would be a shoemaker job at best.

 

I just went through this over the weekend. I had my slip-ons off for some maintenece and I put them back on the way I saw suggested on this forum. Two new H-D Torca clamps ( replaced the Vance & Hines clamps) and put some of the Permatex Hi-Temp copper silicone where the muffler slips on the head pipe. I could see where there was an exhaust leak at the front of the slip-on on each side. Guess what? Now what little decel popping I had is gone. I knew an exhaust leak could cause the decel popping and I guess that was my problem. After taking a minute to compare the two side by side, there is no way the V&H supplied clamp can apply as much force as the H-D clamp. You're comparing a 1/4" bolt to a 3/8" bolt. When I was torquing the clamp, I felt like I was collapsing the pipe, it's that tight. But all is good now.