Help with Upper Push Rod Cover Leak
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 156
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From: Minnesota
Help with Upper Push Rod Cover Leak
Hey All,
I just put in some SE tapered adjustable push rods and the new chrome covers and o-rings. I've got a leak at the top o-ring on the front exhaust push rod cover.
Do you folks put the o-ring up in the cylinder head first, then put the upper push rod cover (aluminum tube) in? Or do you put the o-ring on the aluminum tube and put it up into the head?
I do not have an old o-ring up in the head (I checked and accounted for all the old ones).
I have done some research and I found that you need to lube the o-rings a bit and then push and twist the aluminum tube up into the head to get a good fit. Is this correct?
Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Dave
I just put in some SE tapered adjustable push rods and the new chrome covers and o-rings. I've got a leak at the top o-ring on the front exhaust push rod cover.
Do you folks put the o-ring up in the cylinder head first, then put the upper push rod cover (aluminum tube) in? Or do you put the o-ring on the aluminum tube and put it up into the head?
I do not have an old o-ring up in the head (I checked and accounted for all the old ones).
I have done some research and I found that you need to lube the o-rings a bit and then push and twist the aluminum tube up into the head to get a good fit. Is this correct?
Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Dave
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
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From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
O rings in head first, i don't lube them but when I push the upper part of the tube into the ring I make sure it is seated correctlly by pushing up on it with a small screwdriver.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,115
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From: Bay Area, NorCal
I just did a swap on my push rod covers a couple of weeks ago and did it pretty much the way you asked in your post: dabbed some fresh motor oil on the o-ring, placed the o-ring on the tube, wiggled the tube up into the head while pushing the lower pushrod cover into the lifter block, then snapped the retainer clip into place. No leaks so far.
Double check to make sure you have the correct o-ring installed at the top of the tube - should be a chunky beige one if my memory serves me right. Hope you get it worked out.
~
Double check to make sure you have the correct o-ring installed at the top of the tube - should be a chunky beige one if my memory serves me right. Hope you get it worked out.
~
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 156
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From: Minnesota
Thanks for the feed back. I just finished up the cam tensioner upgrade and that went real well. Motor sounds and runs great. It's just this damn leak that has me going. I replaced it once and it still leaks, but then I used the same technique I did the first time...no one ever said I was the sharpest knife in the drawer
I'll give it a third try with the suggestions from you guys. Thanks for the ideas!
Dave
I'll give it a third try with the suggestions from you guys. Thanks for the ideas!Dave
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 156
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From: Minnesota
It worked!! I Used a small screw driver to coax the upper aluminum push rod tube and o-ring into place. A little twist and some persuasion and I felt it pop in place. I fired her up and no leak!! I couldn't resist so I took her out for a quick spin. She sounds and runs great! The high temp here today was 35 so my face froze with a huge **** eatin' grin in place! Man the stage 1 and that SE 203 cam sure woke her up!! Now I'm starting to think that if the minor mods I just completed did that, what would a big bore kit and some heads do??? I may have caught the fever. I hope Santa gives me some $ so I can feed the addiction
Thanks Again,
Dave
Thanks Again,
Dave
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 675
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From: Newport, Wa
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Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
Did a 95" upgrade (BB kit) and 203 cams to my '02 FXD. The larger displacement and cams really woke up the engine. Two up riding is such a delight now, twist and go.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 156
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From: Minnesota
Thanks! I know what ya mean. I got sucked into one of those 'politics and religion' posts over at V-Twinforum for a few minutes...what a mistake...like pounding sand down a rat hole...it could go on forever!!
