Chrome Rocker Box install. w/ pics.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 577
Likes: 2
From: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
actually Hickey, the rods rose up when the breather rocker assembly was removed, all i simply did was place it on top, and take turns tightening the bolts and watch the rods sink back in... i was genuinely worried, but they went down smooth, similar to a brake caliper when your swapping out the disk brakes.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
Nice job & write up. I was thinking about bolt-in cams but wasn't sure about reusing the lifters or going adjustable lifters. You may have helped me make that decission but I do have a couple of questions -
I read somewhere that you had to "unload" the valve springs ???
It sounds like you were able to put it back together without TDC on the the lifters - is that typical ???
How do you torque the hard to get to bolt(s) ???
How many gaskets need to be replaced ???
I have a service manual but it is so much nicer hearing about it first hand.
Thanks - Jimmie
I read somewhere that you had to "unload" the valve springs ???
It sounds like you were able to put it back together without TDC on the the lifters - is that typical ???
How do you torque the hard to get to bolt(s) ???
How many gaskets need to be replaced ???
I have a service manual but it is so much nicer hearing about it first hand.
Thanks - Jimmie
When I removed the breather assembly, I simply applied pressure to the rods and they slowly returned to their initial place. I think rotating the rear tire causing cams to turn is there to avoid accidentally bending the rods. Once the lower rocker was in place I tigtened the bolts 3 turns each going in a standard cross pattern ...
torquing???I applied the bolt by hand then an open end ratchet wrench. That one bolt was hand tightened to a point similar to that of the other bolts I used a forque wrench for.
Gaskets ....2 for each cylinder . You have a lower and upper rocker box gaskets. HD hit me for 25 dollars ...total of 4 gaskets. And don't forget to reuse the o-ring that's mounted under the breather assembly. assuming the ring is in good shape.
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14,564
Likes: 9,225
From: the 50s & the 60s
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not typical at all.
correct procedure is to close both valves.
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..........way easier to use the key and bump the starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 352
Likes: 3
From: NorCal
Cryzlgzz - after thinking it over and reading the other reply's, I think the term "unload value springs" refers to bringing them to TDC so that they are closed and there is no load on the rods.
Thanks for the reply.
Jimmie
Thanks for the reply.
Jimmie
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
Ok unload, this thread is quickly becoming overly technical lol for a pocedure that was surprisingly simple.
I'll say it again lol. I know what. The manual says, and I strongly suggest you follow it. My thread was simply a visual tutor to help someone visualize the job ahead of him. During my swap, I dint touch, unload TDC anything. . I simply unbolted, removed, reinstalled. And paid special attention to my bolt tihhtening pattern and my torquing. All the other technical TDC valve compression, unloading etc....was never an issue.
I'll say it again lol. I know what. The manual says, and I strongly suggest you follow it. My thread was simply a visual tutor to help someone visualize the job ahead of him. During my swap, I dint touch, unload TDC anything. . I simply unbolted, removed, reinstalled. And paid special attention to my bolt tihhtening pattern and my torquing. All the other technical TDC valve compression, unloading etc....was never an issue.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 352
Likes: 3
From: NorCal
Actually that's one of the reasons I was so interested in your post. Sometimes reading the manual and looking at a two dimensional picture can be confusing or intimidating. When I see your pictures and read about your personal experience - I think hey that doesn't look too bad.
Jimmie
Jimmie
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 22
From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank
Dont panic. If it were all that critical, none of the infernal consumption engines we have now would run and we'd all be stuck running radials.
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