Header collars

I'm replacing my headers (83 - KZ11000 LTD). Got fairly good set of headers with mufflers on ebay. I have new copper washers but several of my collars are not "flat" and I'm thinking that they may not seal well when I put the new pipes on. Any comments/suggestions. Should I get new collars (Are they available?)

thanks for your help!

Not sure I can answer your question as I don't understand it. Good to see a local fella. Let me know if you ever need a hand with the bike. I live out towards Medina Lake off 1283.

I am not sure I understand your question either. However, I can tell you my experience: I did some work (painted header, etc) and I had to drop the header. When I put it back on, I saw that the flanges on my 'keepers' were not flat. By that I mean that they did not make a good 90 degee angle with the body, rather they were bent past 90 degrees in some places.

I attribute this to someone (maybe me) intalling these incorrectly so that they dont line up correctly with the collars.

Because of this, I can not get a good seat all the way around the collar and if I am not careful, the flange actually gets pinched between the collar and the engine fins in some spots.

To get around this problem, I actually installed 2 sets of copper gaskets. This adds a little distance and clearance for the collars.

I think part of the issue is that I have an after market header that doesn't quite line up length wise. I tried to take it apart to extend it, but the headers were rusted into the exhaust.

Thanks for comments. The collars are warpped(sp?)- like they were over tightened once. So they may not apply even pressure to the 2 sleeves which in turn apply pressure to the flange on the header to make a good seal against the gasket/head. I may be overly concerned here, just don't want to get it all back together then have a leak. I guess it really depends on how warpped the collars are. I'm thinkin I will take them to a machine shop to be re-surfaced. I was wondering if this was a common condition and a problem that others have encountered before.

thanks much!!

You must have bigger studs coming from the engine block than I do.
My collars go onto studs that fit a 10mm nut, and I'm sure I'd bust/strip a stud (a constant fear when I tighten them) before I ever warped the collar.

I think I have the same size studs as you. Maybe the heat warped the collars, because you're right, it would have taken a lot of torque to bend a 3/4" collar.

thanks

the collars on my aftermarket pipes are also warped (both sides are bent toward the head), I think MAC exhaust. I have heard that was common. I can't get the collars off to replace them anyways.

Post edited by: lifeliberty, at: 2006/07/24 13:45

I have the same bike as you, and had a hell of a time getting the pipes to seal, I got a set of reusable gaskets from redlinecycle.com and it sealed up great the first time. BTW - you don't have any parts from the ltd you'd want to sell?

Cary - I've got a set of old and somewhat rusted headers that are original. Shipping cost plus $20. Also, instrument cover.

I'm going to try to have my collars machined/resurfaced. I'll let you all know how it goes.

thanks
peter

Just to close the loop on my oringinal question. I took the collars to the shop and had them machined. Top, bottom and insides resurfaced. Cost $20 - probably should have cost more but the guy took pity on someone who obviosly was on a learning curve and enjoying working on his bike. Used new copper washers that I got from ebay. Steel wooled the whole lot. Put everything on the bike and thank God everything lined up. No leaks and my old bike - with almost new headers - looks great!! Glad I didn't have to pay me by the hour