Head Nuts

[EEL]

Ducati Tool Rental out of LA

I just (3 weeks ago) had a exhaust bolt snap off inside the head. I had to pull the head to have the bolt machined out.

I rented the extension tool from them for 10 bucks including both delivery and return shipping to Northern California. If you're in LA I wouldn't be surprised if you couldnt just drive over and pick it up

Like everyone said, o-rings are needed if you want to play it safe. Here's some more info

1) Once you uncompress them you will need to replace. When I took the top part of the head off, the supply o-ring was thoroughly destroyed.

2) You'll need to take the timing belts off to replace the o rings

3) Make sure the piston is bottomed out. When you remove each head. That way taking off the top head to replace the o rings is easier. Also this will keep the gasket at the bottom of the head secure.  Because of this you will need to do each head independantly and you'll have to rotate the piston when you go from one head to another.

4) Torque specs are in 3 phases. I think its 15-25-40. Torque all 4 at 15, then at 25, etc etc.

Personal Opinion:
You really want to do all this work from some pointless bling? Think real hard. I like your idea of just painting them  better.

[uclabiker06]

Eel, overall I am in agreement with your personal opinion.  Will try to update this post w/ pics when/if I finish.  Just wondering but was your bike leaking oil?  Is that why you took the head off?  How many miles you have on your bike?  You ride it hard?  You think thats why your ring was "destroyed"?

[EEL]

My bike bike wasn't leaking oil. It was leaking exhaust. I had an exhaust bolt shear off completely so my horizontal cylinder exhaust was only being held by one bolt. My only guess is I hit a rock at high speed and it kicked up and hit directly on the exhaust bolt.

I had to pull the top part of the head off to take it to a machine shop for removal of the stud remnant.

Those O-rings I was talking about are between the top and bottom head pieces. The minute you unload those o rings you should replace them. Otherwise there is a good change you will have a leak on your hands.

And to answer your question, I do ride my bike hard. One thing I've noticed is that Duc's really shine when they're ridden like they're stolen. Not so much if you putt around on them. I'm at 41k on the S2R800 right now.

[uclabiker06]

Wow, interesting

[memper]

mc master carr has stainless nuts. Black ones too..