Head work, need to replace base o-rings?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: JAX
Head work, need to replace base o-rings?
A friend and I were disassembling my 2014 SGS 3 weeks ago to get the heads off for some head work. He apparently got confused as to the extent of the job and lifted the rear cylinder up maybe 2" or so. So, do I need to replace the base o-rings on one or both cylinders before I put the heads back on or do you think the o-rings will be fine??? The bike only has about 2000 miles on it. What would you do?
Last edited by Relentless; Feb 20, 2016 at 09:30 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: SW Ohio
If you decide to lift the cylinder and remove a wrist pin clip and pull the cylinder off with the piston still in it make SURE you cover the bore hole in the case.
I'd replace the wrist pin clip on re-assembly. I've inadvertently lifted cylinders and thought "it'll be ok", only to have an oil seep later.
I'd replace the wrist pin clip on re-assembly. I've inadvertently lifted cylinders and thought "it'll be ok", only to have an oil seep later.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: deland,florida
the O rings will be fine,if you want replace the small O rings on the oil returns,the large one on the spigot will be fine.dont take the cylinder off,no need to (evo or shovel with gaskets,yes,TC with O rings,no)
Ultimate HDF Member
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From: NE Ohio
I've had heads off an engine at 20,000 and didn't mess with the O-rings, not a leak to be found. I do however make it a point not to turn the engine over unless I have used a fastener to hold the cylinder down before hand. Maybe I've just gotten lucky.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: deland,florida
Ide be alot more worried about disrupting the rings (witch will happen) than a base leak (witch wont happen)by removing the cylinder just to replace the base o rings
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: MT
I replaced cams and head gasket last spring, in process I didn't bolt down the cylinders to keep them from lifting after pulling the heads. Ended up lifting them a bit. Not 2 inches but 1/8 to 1/4,set them back down without replacing & have had no issues with seeping.
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