Manifold fitment std heads

[Weston1955]

Hey there. I have a manifold for a linkert with pretty siginifixant gaps on each side when held in place for the heads. About .040 on each side. Is there a way that has worked for anyone to fill those gaps? Possibly by extending the manifold and machining back down to the correct size? It's a panhead o-ring manifold on std heads thanks so much for the help

[docmel]

You may have tried this: On my STD heads, before I tightened the head bolts down, rotate the heads slightly until the manifold can be placed between the jugs, as well as the orings. Then rotate the heads back until the gaps on each side of the manifold are where you want them

[Weston1955]

Thanks for the reply. I left the heads loose and even with them rotated all the way in the gap is still pretty significant. I may have to find a way to build up the lips on the manifold and then machine it back down to where I need it

[Buddhahoodvatoloco]

Sure you have the right manifold, couple of sizes if I am not mistaken.

[Weston1955]

I believe it to be the correct manifold. It's for the 74" fl and measured the right size. I believe several people have run across this issue while using std heads so I was hoping someone could help with what they used.

[es225]

I was lucky to have the cast iron original manifold so I was able to make four rings out of 2 mm sheet metal (mild steel) and solder them on both the small diameter manifold ends and on the manifold boss. This way the air gap could be bridged and the width for the o-rings could be as per original. I used a tin-silver alloy that is stronger than the usual tin-lead alloys but requires a lower soldering temperature than copper-silver alloys ( I did not want to heat the manifold to orange red). This modification can easily made undone, important for an original manifold.JW

[Robert Luland]

Sound to me like you got a EL manifold. A EL measures 3.250 wheres FL measures 3.375. Bob L

[RUBONE]

Sound to me like you got a EL manifold. A EL measures 3.250 wheres FL measures 3.375. Bob L

No such thing as an EL O-ring manifold, the EL was long dead before that appeared. And .040 is a pretty small gap in the H-D realm.

[PanPal]

Run a .015 larger drill bit throught the headbolt holes in your cylinders. You can twist the heads a bit more, But watch the the gaps are even between the manifold and head and check the oil hole alignment head to cylinder are still aligned. One bolt on the STD head could be slightly off keeping you from rotating it far enough to close the gap.

[Buddhahoodvatoloco]

Can you elaborate here, with detail, that read interesting, Gracias.........

Run a .015 larger drill bit throught the headbolt holes in your cylinders. You can twist the heads a bit more, But watch the the gaps are even between the manifold and head and check the oil hole alignment head to cylinder are still aligned. One bolt on the STD head could be slightly off keeping you from rotating it far enough to close the gap.

[rozemab]

I just went through this, this week. I bought a new paunghco manifold. Overall was 2.975 in. I have to reduce the OAL by .1 in (.050 in each end) to fit my setup. So I wonder if your manifold was already cut down.

But, Before you mess with your heads,

take a look at this:

An alternative to o-rings, indexing heads, praying to the panhead gods etc. The silicone bands are real and they work quite well.

Bubble Testing Before Installing it!

throw the o-rings out and index the heads to even out the gaps. Bubble test and don't look back.

Remember, ride it hard and put it away wet!

[Weston1955]

I just went through this, this week. I bought a new paunghco manifold. Overall was 2.975 in. I have to reduce the OAL by .1 in (.050 in each end) to fit my setup. So I wonder if your manifold was already cut down.

But, Before you mess with your heads,

take a look at this:

An alternative to o-rings, indexing heads, praying to the panhead gods etc. The silicone bands are real and they work quite well.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16791&sid=7e1721c9e ... 75647eea4c

throw the o-rings out and index the heads to even out the gaps. Bubble test and don't look back.

Remember, ride it hard and put it away wet!

I actually just picked a pair of those up and they sealed it up perfectly. Easiest installation ever and worked like a charm.