Exhaust collet bent / curved so cant make seal

[ukjules]

GS550E 1980
Anyone know how I can bend back this exhaust collet?
or where can get one ?

Only now do I realise why previously have stripped
exhaust bolts / studs in other heads.
The face of this one is curved (somehow) so
even at right torque will rattle as cany hold
the gasket and holders.

As it is cast is there a way to make face straight again ?

20201121_142718_resize_96.jpg

[ukjules]

What about file the face flat ? as soft aluminium
(I think) should be easy?

As it has distorted... will it bend back in a vice
you reckon? Tis almost 5-7mm out in middle from flat.

I have no idea how it got like this. must have been like
it when I bought it

[Cipher]

um its rusting so not aluminium
the po installed studs drilled for cotter pins or safety wire
a machine shop might flatten the thing but at what cost
ebay is your friend

[ukjules]

20+£ via ebay. (for 4)

I am thinking now of a large washer
which would take out the curve.
or
2* gaskets

I'll look in my parts mountain .....

oh to be rich ...

[ukjules]

fix ... a new gasket and an old one on top.
This gives a secure for and no leakage.
Added to notes so I dont forget.

[ukjules]

The mechanics of how the exhaust seals are known.
The collet is bent causing it not to be able to seal
with a single gasket. With 2 it is fine.
However it remains on my snagging list.

I have only realised it was bent after swapping out the
engine for another and looking at it in detail.

It must have been bent / warped pre my purchase.
How , god knows !!! it is steel.
No way could this be torqued to bend like it is.

4 collets 25£ ebay.
I however would put in a vice and file all day to save such
expense. Perhaps meddling with longer flanges
might help but a single old gasket is clearly easier and works.

Now I have to pull the old engine to bits
and make good.