if you are only replacing the seals the heads and manifold should still be lined up good. dont loosen the heads if the manifold fits correctly. if it doesnt fit (gaps around the flanges or wont go in), then the heads need to be shifted and tightened back down while checking the manifold fit(install new head gaskets)...but dont install it with the heads loose, it wouldn't seal like that.

lube up the orings with motor oil and roll them up on the manifold flange or head flange till they will stay there, line up the manifold in between the heads and roll them off the flanges into the gap. it should hang by itself then. if you have the s&s bracket that comes up from the center case bolt...stick a 3/8 bolt thru it with a nut on it, to help hold the manifold still. if you havent put that on yet, might take a minute to get it bolted on, adjusted and lined up before you even try.

open up the clamps, stick one on and snug it up a teeny bit...stick the other one on. gradually tighten them both up, feeling around the inside to make sure the mating surfaces stay lined up. tighten them up till its metal to metal.(the clamp to the flanges). they will get snug all of a sudden once the orings are smashed in.

its just a pain. might be easier with somebody on the other side of the bike holding the manifold still/inward if you dont use that particular carb support bracket. tedious.

 

I've got most of my experience with the o-ring heads and manifolds. If you are relacing a manifold, I'm working on an ironhead with an s&s o-ring right now, loosen the heads. Use your finger and make sure the head and manifold line up so the passage walls match as closley as possible. If you've got the copper gaskets just remove and slip in the oven on a cookie sheet at 350 for 1/2 hour when the girlfriend is out. Then you won't have to replace them.

It's not that I'm cheap, but waiting for a new set to be shipped can kill my drive. Then the next bike finds its way on the lift and the original project goes back in the shed.

 

On thoes copper head gaskets, you heat them up with a torch to a very dull red and then dump them into a bucket of water! then you can reuse them, On lining up the manifold, you might have to loosen up the base bolts as well when useing a new intake, so use new gasket through out...Roach.

 

Easy - It's best done as a 2 person job... One person holding it in, and the other tightening those clamps... and even then, it's sorta pain in the ass. Just did all that stuff from when my bike quit running at that oakland shin-dig.

I've had better luck keeping them from leaking with the 2 piece clamps than the ones that wrap all the way around... and also use a carburetor support if your not. That will save you from having to do it again sooner than later.

Also, don't CRANK down those clamps... it'll just start creating leaks. Gett'em snug, and if it's right, and the bike is running good (no leaks), ride it a bit, and recheck for leaks with a little starter fluid around the clamps. If there are any, tighten them down a bit more and repeat.

 

solid advice! Thanks guys.Im gonna go mess with it now.