Panhead heads - tightening

MontanaPanFan · #1 10-08-2007, 01:45 PM

Hello.

I am close to finishing a total rebuild of a 48/61 panhead project.

The motor is in place, the heads are on and I am about to tighten them down to the cylinders.

I think I read torque to 80 lbs, but as you guys know, the heads of the bolts are hard to get to, and really hard to torque,

I do not have the special wrenches, which are not torque wrenches anyway.

So, How do I get these tight, and what are the best wrenches- sockets to use to tighten with, Do I need the special harley wrenches?

I am running a magneto, so one of the front bolts is a real bitch, I will take off the magneto at the base, and have more room to work around that.

These things look like a bitch to tighten, and a nightmare ot actually torque. 80-85 lbs is correct?

Any ideas!!!

Thanks

pittguy · #2 10-08-2007, 02:35 PM

Some owners have made special tools for the way their bikes are.A torque adapter may be needed but remember extending the length willthrow tq specs off,torqing at 90 degrees-tq wrench to adapter-should be used to remain w/in specs.Remember that tq should be checked agin after heat cycling engine.

crampfan · #3 10-11-2007, 03:06 PM

Head bolt torq. is 65 ft.lbs. I use a 9/16 wobble socket, you can get to all the bolts but the one near the point breaker assm. and I use a dog bone for that one, (you will have to do some math to get your torq wrench set w/ a dog bone)
always retorq. after about 500 miles. (unless you like doing headgaskets)

wreck74 · #4 10-13-2007, 05:07 PM

This workswith James gaskets. you can feel how tight to tighten it, and pretty even too.

Hal64hd · #5 10-13-2007, 08:34 PM

The Special Tool I Use is a GM Door Hinge Wrench

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snap-...spagenameZWDVW

[IMG]local://upfiles/24357/F46F70C8CFDD48678BDED66B9AD04C38.jpg[/IMG]

MontanaPanFan · #6 10-21-2007, 11:48 AM

Thanks for all the help.

Where can i buy a set of three of the U shaped wrenches for harleys?