How do you get the ##$#$ exhaust seals out

Got new header to pipe (collector) seals from Chacal (thanks Len!). Old ones are like part of the pipes - stuck solid. Any good ways to get them out?

 

You mean they are stuck in the ports, Bill?
I use a small screwdriver with a 90 deg bend on the end, normally there will be one part of the doghnut protruding that you can get a grip on. Wiz.

 

These are on the other end Wiz. look like a short piece of pipe where the header goes into the pipes or collector at that point. At the pinch claps if that helps....

 

Yes, got you Bill, I have been there, they can be one SOAB, like, hammer & cold chisel. Good luck.

 

That was my idea too but I thought there had to be a better way

 

Got heat?

The pipe is going to heat up slower than the seal and it's often a good way to separate these things.

 

Acting on my base instinct and wanting to get out some aggression :wink:

I found out they deform fairly easily so I was able to deform from the front then grab with pliers and wiggle them out. At least on the right side - I got those out and the new seals in place. I'll do the other side when I get a chance to move the bike away from the wall.

A word or caution for those who try it, be careful not to deform the outer lip of the pipe in the process. I didn't have any problem but looks easy to do.

 

Bill; They're not solid, they're just not like the ones you got from chacal. They're a copper "flange" at both ends with metal-screen reinforced tube of asbestos-like stuff (that is now rock hard) sandwiched between. I cleaned out TWO sets of pipes and TWO collectors they suck trust me. I used a small chisel; once you get them split you can usually get in under each side of the split with a small screwdriver and pry them away (cave them in on themselves) then grab ahold with monster pliers and YANK 'em out. Sometimes you just have to destroy them in place and dig out what's left. Split/cave-crush/yank is easier.

 

Damn it Bill you type faster than I do. I was still typing...

 

I figured as much. It's good to see great minds thinking alike! :lol:

 

I got my Kroil yesterday and with all the good reviews I thought maybe if I showed the seals the kroil can they would give up and jump right out :lol:

I still had the left side to do. Anyway I let it soak 20 or 30 minutes and not much help but hey it can't do everything :cry:

 

My daughter found a really nice old Olivetti-Underwood portable typewriter on eBay. All the lubricants gummed up, everything moving in slo-mo. I just got done going over it with Kroil, carb cleaner and q-tips and it's all better now. I think the exhaust gaskets get hammered into place (expanded) rather than rusted in. Wait 'til you try Kroil on something that's rusted up.