Chasing a suspected a exhaust leak at the cylinder head (flange nut was loose and plugs indicate rich AFR). So I am gonna remove and refit headers, new exhaust port gaskets bla,bla. 

The service manual recommends tightening cylinder head exhaust studs to 120 in-lbs which is only 10 ft-lbs. This doesn't seem tight enough to me. I know you don't want to over torque em 
and snap studs off but surly 10 ft-lbs is no where near that. 

What torque values have you fellas used. 

 

My Clymer manual Saids: 12ft/lb (16.5 Nm) seems about right

 

As per the manual. Step them down bit by bit, a tedious task but worth the effort. Also check again after a few days of riding. I check them periodically as they do come loose. As I have found out. Scotty told me to check them once in a while to make sure. I put anti seize on them and and to stop them rusting and shearing off a stud when you do change them. Personally a 5 min job every once in a while.

Ozrodder where are you buying your copper exhaust rings?

im glad i read this thread, i just fitted a set of 2into1 pipes and miss read the manual and tightened the bolts to 110 ft/pounds instead of inch/pounds. (DICK)

i didnt strip or snap anything, but should i loosen them off and re torque them to 120 inch/pounds?

I would as when things heat up they expand and you may end up snapping a stud and then you will be in a world of hurt. but you might have to replace your gaskets. One of my mates read the manual the wrong way as well.

went out and checked the torque wrench, had it on about 105 ft/lds

like i said before.............im a DICK

Actually it is possible. Another member of this forum done exactly the same thing on his Sportster, didn't read the manual properly and then when he was tightening them down he began to think that this doesn't seem right, went back re read the manual and the penny dropped. Ive done it on a car, and thought shit this seems very tight for a little bolt then had another look and thought shit I'm an Idiot.

It is also important to make sure that you pull the flange down square and even with pipe central to the gasket....nip it up from one side to the other, I take note of the length of the stud sticking out of the nut on each side....should be about equal....At my last build I didn't use torque wrench, just nipped them up snug and retightened when hot....

Bt

Thanks for that Ozroder, I'll have to get some.