Manifold Nipple Repair Plan

[govmule84]

I did something similar, but it doesn't allow for removals so easily.

[sny]

Cotten, Did you make that and how can I get one?

I put them in and out with an expanding collet, Gov!

....Cotten

[T. Cotten]

Cotten, Did you make that and how can I get one?

Yes, I made them, Sny!

I started with expanding tool collets from Caterpillar surplus, which may now be unobtainium.

Then I cut and welded a cone to the center bolt for the large-port tool, and found a convenient countersunk Caterpillar bolt for the small-port.

Gotta be resourceful.

....Cotten

[govmule84]

Just got off the phone with Gasoila. They make a product called E-seal: https://www.gasoila.com/products/pip...d-sealant.html

The tech there sounded very knowledgeable, and was European. He said normally connections there are not tapered thread but straight thread, and they sell a lot of this stuff there.

I think this is going to be next on my list to try as it is soft-setting. I feel like if I use the JB and it doesn't seal up, I am gonna have a LOT of cleanup work to do.

Here goes nothin'...

[govmule84]

I just had another idea. Those copper gaskets I have are a little on the thick side. I don't have a lathe, but I am gonna see if a friend with one can chuck up the nipple and take a corresponding amount off the back of the nipple to so as to not affect the manifold. Add some E-seal, and see how that does.

[sny]

Thats neat! Looks more effective than the exhaust pipe expander. Would be nice to make some nipples with a few hidden notches on the back to work with a tool like yours.

Yes, I made them, Sny!

I started with expanding tool collets from Caterpillar surplus, which may now be unobtainium.

Then I cut and welded a cone to the center bolt for the large-port tool, and found a convenient countersunk Caterpillar bolt for the small-port.

Gotta be resourceful.

....Cotten

[sny]

How about Seal Lock. You can get on Amazon here...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just got off the phone with Gasoila. They make a product called E-seal: https://www.gasoila.com/products/pip...d-sealant.html

The tech there sounded very knowledgeable, and was European. He said normally connections there are not tapered thread but straight thread, and they sell a lot of this stuff there.

I think this is going to be next on my list to try as it is soft-setting. I feel like if I use the JB and it doesn't seal up, I am gonna have a LOT of cleanup work to do.

Here goes nothin'...

[govmule84]

How about Seal Lock. You can get on Amazon here...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I like this idea. I think Gasoila will be easier to clean up if it doesn't seal, so I will probably try this stuff after that, but before J-B weld.

I also have some .010" copper sheet on the way. I want to make a thin gasket to hopefully conform to the surfaces of the nipple and jug. I wanna try that before skim-cutting a nipple.

[govmule84]

Copper didn't work out for a few reasons. I tried a few ways and a few forms, and it just wasn't working.

Next up was the Gasoila E-seal. This stuff is... awesome. I called one of their chemists and talked to him for a minute, and he seemed to think this would be no problem for their product, which was apparently developed for far more demanding situations.

I cleaned everything up with alcohol and let it sit for a day, then applied the E-seal, then let it cure for 24 hrs. Made a rivet plug of E-seal and capped it with RTV, let that cure, then hit it with another cap.

Held to 15 pounds. I put the bike back together with Bruce's PEEK intake seals and took it for a ride, seems to be doing just fine after some carby dialing. I got a retorque on the head bolts today. I wanna get some miles on it, but for right now, it appears as though this was my magic bullet.

Time will tell.

[T. Cotten]

Original Gasoila failed in my immersion tests, Folks.

And I sure as hell wouldn't use any RTV, Gov!

If copper was appropriate, the factories would have used it.

....Cotten
PS: Bruce didn't do his homework. Good luck.

[govmule84]

I didn't use original Gasoila. This is a completely different product. Different color, consistency, etc.

Further, air affects things. Given that my engine doesn't sit in a pool of fuel, testing a chemical that way doesn't seem quite right to me. I'd rather test it this way: under actual service conditions. The E-seal is plugging the hole; RTV is simply a skin to help it stay in place. If it doesn't work, I can simply try something else. Failing to try things because they might fail is... failing.

Bruce's products in my limited experience with them (two bikes so far) have been very, very welcome in my garage. The material is expensive and his prices are reasonable, and both of my bikes sealed up, under pressure, at half of the (what I feel is) near-destructive torque required to get the OEM brass to conform and seal.

Is it possible, Tom, that there are a few ways to skin cats?

[T. Cotten]

My philosophy is to not give P4gas anything to eat, Gov!

If you can help it. Because somewhere or someday some fuel or combination of fuels, plus Time, will eat anything it can.

Unless Bruce is here to see my observations, I'll only wish you better luck than his that cross my benches.

....Cotten

[govmule84]

I think we have a basic disagreement on problem solving.

The original method of sealing these that HD used is not up to snuff for me. You seem to be recommending... just doing it that way.

That's a foregone conclusion. Doing the same thing over and over again that doesn't work in the hopes that one day it will is not how I operate.

To recap:

• E-seal is a different product than what you tested. It is literally designed for fittings used at filling stations per Gasoila's chemist. Presumably, they understand that gasoline can act as a solvent.
• Immersion is not the same as exposure.
• Bruce's rings seem to be sealing up just fine, and he certainly seems to sell a lot of them. I have no plans to slag him or his product. You're free to do so whereever you like, but given that (presumably) we're all here because we like old bikes, I'd ask maybe you not do that on this thread because it's A) counterproductive and B) not real cool.

[T. Cotten]

I think we have a basic disagreement on problem solving.

The original method of sealing these that HD used is not up to snuff for me. You seem to be recommending... just doing it that way.

I never said that, Gov!

Even Indian used a sealer.

And my rivet suggestion is quite different.

Again, I wish you good luck for the long run.

....Cotten

[govmule84]

Right on. Thanks for the input.

I'll report back in due time.