View Full Version : to seal or not to seal? Prim/cam covers


fergerburger
05-06-2008, 02:03 PM
So I've been stripping down this 71 xlch I got out of a pole barn in WI and I noticed the primary and cam covers both has blue silicone sealant on both sides of the gasket.

So should I seal with blue silicone or not? Experienced ironheads?

I never sealed my Evo primary cover that way...and I run open primaries on my BT's

ferg

iknowyoueazyryder
05-06-2008, 04:30 PM
That stuff is bad. If a little bit comes loose on the inside it might stop up an oil line of something. Get real gaskets and use Indian Head.

FastHarley
05-06-2008, 04:40 PM
Use stuff that is made for Metrics, outboards, marine inboards, outdrives, as well as Harleys. It is made by a company than labled under many brand names such as Yamabond (http://www.parkeryamaha.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=17085) & many others. This is the last word in seasling. Do a search and you can find it in many names but it all the same.

Calwoodbutcher
05-06-2008, 05:44 PM
Use gaskets! For sure use a gasket on the cam cover. The cam end play spacing takes a gasket into consideration. If you don't those suckers will run too tight and all kinda bad stuff can happen. JMO

fergerburger
05-07-2008, 12:46 AM
the last guy used blue silicone PLUS the gasket....I never used extra sealant with my EVO but I'm new to the ironheads

piniongear
05-07-2008, 08:03 AM
A gasket should always be used.
The type of sealer is a matter of personal choice.
Some use Copperkote, some use Permatex #2 (NOT ME), or other types.

What I use is Permatex #3, the non hardening stuff. If the cover is one that I plan on taking on and off from time to time then I only coat one side of the gasket with #3 and then bolt on the cover.
This allows the easy cover removal and reuse of the gasket. If you use a hardening type sealer you will have a real chore cleaning it off of the aluminun next time you need to remove that cover.
The blue RTV stuff? Never!............pg

liltrk
05-07-2008, 08:20 AM
ORIGINAL: piniongear

A gasket should always be used.
The type of sealer is a matter of personal choice.
Some use Copperkote, some use Permatex #2 (NOT ME), or other types.

What I use is Permatex #3, the non hardening stuff. If the cover is one that I plan on taking on and off from time to time then I only coat one side of the gasket with #3 and then bolt on the cover.
This allows the easy cover removal and reuse of the gasket. If you use a hardening type sealer you will have a real chore cleaning it off of the aluminun next time you need to remove that cover.
The blue RTV stuff? Never!............pg



+1 on the cleaning difficulties. Don't ask me how I know.