Modern Vespa

Is the clamp on backwards? Another question is there a higher quality clamp I can buy? The aluminum clasp, bolt, and nut are very cheap where I can't tighten it on enough without breaking it.

I don't think it matters whether nut is front or back, and I don't think it's aluminum, more likely plated steel. Maybe go ahead and tighten more, if it breaks you should be able to get a better one at a muffler shop that won't break.

You could even have muffler shop weld a spring eye on your header to help keep it on


and maybe do this too as recommended in another recent thread.

Try a magnet on it to see if it sticks.

I'm going to try it without a clamp at all on mine, I welded spring clips on and it's a pretty tight fit. But that Polini clamp is a piece of crap, and looks it too.

I like your idea Terry, it's much nicer.

Whatever you do dont overtighten the bolt. The only way I got mine to seal was with a little bit of exhaust sealant spread on the inside of the exhaust header pipe when assembling it on to the cylinder stub.
After that no leaks…

Definitely do NOT over tighten on an aluminum cylinder! You can literally cave in the spud when it gets hot and ruin the cylinder, but on a cast iron cylinder you will just break that crappy clamp as the cast iron can withstand much higher temperatures. The springs are the way to go and are usually standard on good kit.

Whacking her up with a block of wood right onto the manifold as well as sliding the clasp up and re tightening is good for now

It's time to invest in a rubber mallet!