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to seal or not to seal? Prim/cam covers

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Old May 6, 2008 | 01:03 PM
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Default to seal or not to seal? Prim/cam covers

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
 
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Old May 6, 2008 | 03:30 PM
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Default RE: to seal or not to seal? Prim/cam covers

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.
 
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Old May 6, 2008 | 03:40 PM
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Default RE: to seal or not to seal? Prim/cam covers

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 & 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.
 
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Old May 6, 2008 | 04:44 PM
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Default RE: to seal or not to seal? Prim/cam covers

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
 
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Old May 6, 2008 | 11:46 PM
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Default RE: to seal or not to seal? Prim/cam covers

the last guy used blue silicone PLUS the gasket....I never used extra sealant with my EVO but I'm new to the ironheads
 
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Old May 7, 2008 | 07:03 AM
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Default RE: to seal or not to seal? Prim/cam covers

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
 
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Old May 7, 2008 | 07:20 AM
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Default RE: to seal or not to seal? Prim/cam covers

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.
 
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