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cam cover torques/gasket/finishing

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Old May 9, 2008 | 10:23 PM
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Default cam cover torques/gasket/finishing

Anybody know the torque values for the cam cover on my 71 XLCH? Hey PG, I used permatex 2B on the gasket...that's my favorite flavor. My old Clymer manual says tighten snug, no torque values. By the way, the JP gasket was not up to my expectations. I used it anyway, but I'm concerned as it did not seem to fit like OEM and seemed thicker than the gasket that was there before. Anyone had any experience with the JP stuff and ironheads?

Tanks are sealed---about 4 days for the POR-15 to dry, and I'm firing up my barnyard find!

ferg
 
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Old May 9, 2008 | 11:01 PM
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Default RE: cam cover torques/gasket/finishing

I've never heard of anyone using a torque wrench on a cam cover. We just tighten them.
 
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Old May 9, 2008 | 11:04 PM
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Default RE: cam cover torques/gasket/finishing

on Evo's they list 90-120 inch pounds.....
 
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Old May 9, 2008 | 11:47 PM
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Default RE: cam cover torques/gasket/finishing

According to the HD manual. Gear cover, oil pump, and primary cover are to be tightened to 100 inch-pound.
 
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Old May 10, 2008 | 07:51 AM
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Default RE: cam cover torques/gasket/finishing

ORIGINAL: fergerburger

Anybody know the torque values for the cam cover on my 71 XLCH? Hey PG, I used permatex 2B on the gasket...that's my favorite flavor. My old Clymer manual says tighten snug, no torque values. By the way, the JP gasket was not up to my expectations. I used it anyway, but I'm concerned as it did not seem to fit like OEM and seemed thicker than the gasket that was there before. Anyone had any experience with the JP stuff and ironheads?

Tanks are sealed---about 4 days for the POR-15 to dry, and I'm firing up my barnyard find!

ferg
To answer your question about Ironheads & JP, I've spent a lot of money with them and some parts were ok and some were garbage or missing things. Typical Asian made low quality. They do have great customer service and will help right away to fix things with more Asian parts that are not up to specs. If at all possible, try and find parts from companies that have been around for a long time. And in JP's defense, most of the other big catalog dealers sell the same crap. I take my time now to track down parts.
 
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Old May 10, 2008 | 11:04 AM
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Default RE: cam cover torques/gasket/finishing

If the replacement gasket was much thicker than what you took off, then you wind up with excessive cam(s) end play. The only thing good I can say about that condition is this: Better too much than too little.
The proper end play is between .001 and .005 thousandths on each of the 4 cams. I really think you should take it apart again and check this clearance before you run the engine.
If you have used the hardening type of sealer, then you are gonna wish you had used the non hardening type. Good luck with it......pg
 
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Old May 10, 2008 | 05:42 PM
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Default RE: cam cover torques/gasket/finishing

I used Permatex 2B on the gasket, it is non-hardening...I've used it in tough spots in engine rebuilds and it never failed me.....it's messy though but an excellent product. I think the gasket from JP was pretty close to what was on the bike....I'm starting to think taking on an old ironhead is gonna be a lot of work.....
 
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Old May 10, 2008 | 07:46 PM
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Default RE: cam cover torques/gasket/finishing

Non hardening, mmmm-mm, good stuff.
I'd say life with an ironhead is 65% riding and 35% repairing, as a general statement.
Still, that is riding it twice as much as working on it.....pg
 
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