Ultimate Baffle Install HELP!!!

[soldierboy3502]

Ok, so I got the Ultimate Baffles from Chucksters and finally got them installed. On my maiden voyage with the new hardware, I noticed a whistling sound when I throttle out. A fellow rider told me that he can hear it by the opening of the pipe.

I used 1/4-20x1/2 inch button head bolts with lock washers and blue loctite. I have the V&H with the HD Screamin Eagles crush gaskets installed along with a Power Commander III and Chuckster's single plate setup.

Any suggestions?

[ringadingh]

Was the baffle a snug fit in the pipe or sloppy with room around the outer edge? If its a loose fit try to wrap something around it to snug it up and see if that helps. Does it backfire when you let off the throttle? that would indicate an exhaust leak, probably at the cylinder head flange.

[soldierboy3502]

It was a snug fit but I could still move it around a bit to line up the holes. It does backfire when I let off the throttle but the pipes are seated in the head well.

Would torque cones help me any?

[mikeyger]

check the exhaust with cigar or insence smoke.Mine backfired and I thought I had no leak but the smoke test proved me wrong.I did add the torque cones after installing the ub as vulcan E suggested and it does make a difference in low end torque or as vulcanE say's (getty up and go!) I have the same pipes! They do sound good Don't they?Try taking them out and cleaning the pipe a little and reinstalling Who knows!

[ndbigfish]

I have used metalized muffler tape from the auto parts store around one of the stock V&H baffles that was too small of a diameter and was making a pinging sound as the baffle rattled in the pipe.

[ringadingh]

If it backfires on you Cabby you still have a leak somewhere, or a cracked header pipe. Take a good look at everything. I had one header pipe that gave me problems for some reason and I had it on and off the bike about 5-6 times before I finally got it to seal good.

[VulcanE]

Cabby, when you install your head pipes to the head, look real good at where the flange of the pipe fits into the head. It is easy to get this misaligned, and the flange of the pipe won't be seated flat against the gasket. While tightening the acorn nuts (with washers) against the clamps to draw the flange into the recess into the head (and against the gasket), alternate back and forth on the two nuts to draw them up even. I use a mirror so I can make sure they are seating correctly. I actually count the turns of the nut from the time they engage the threads of the stud, so as to keep even pressure on the clamps. I only use the HD gaskets a total of 2 times, then I'll replace them. This is if they look good, and I flip them over.
When I first designed these UBs, one pipe (I think it was the left) was just a little larger diameter than the other, and I know that the way these mufflers are made, they can't all be the exact diameter, so to keep it simple, I chose the smaller diameter as the "diameter" of both baffles. The right baffle, I have to have it right on when I slide it it, cause it won't turn, and the left, I can turn it with a little force. I used my pipes to design these, so they fit my pipes perfectly. But as already stated, you might could try some aluminumized tape around the one that you think is doing the whistling.

[soldierboy3502]

Thanks for the info guys!! Ima buy some metalized muffler tape tomorrow and try and wrap them up. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[soldierboy3502]

Ok,

I wrapped them up with metalized muffler tape but to no avail. They still whistle. I saw on another thread about the UB that they were 2 inches wide. The ones I have are 2 and a quarter. Could this be making them whistle? I chopped down the stock baffles to resemble the UBs in length and they do not whistle but dont have the tone of the UBs either. HELP!!!

[ndbigfish]

Cabby,
What do the screens in your UBs look like? Are the holes in the screens round? What is the quantity of holes?

[soldierboy3502]

Mine don't have holes. They have a round metal bar running from left to right in the center of the baffle.

[ndbigfish]

I think a lot of the UB baffles have screens in them. I have screens and pins in mine. You may want to investigate screens. Coming to San Antonio any time soon? You could swap in my UBs and see what happens.

[macmac]

Did you try the marijhuana smoke test? You roll a fattie, and light it up, then hold it near the head flanges seeking bright colors and illusions, I mean disturbed smoke.

[mikeyger]

The smoke test would tell if there is a leak for sure no answer on that question yet!

[nomad561]

Mine didn't sound right until I installed the screens (Home Depot shower drains).You might try that because it will help with the back pressure on the motor.