Engine Mechanical Topics Discussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.

Rocker Cover Replacement

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 22, 2014 | 07:29 AM
  #1  
major105bc's Avatar
major105bc
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 5,062
From: GA
Default Rocker Cover Replacement

I'm stuck and need some advice/help.

I'm replacing my upper and lower rocker covers as the chrome is flaking off.

I unloaded the pushrods and put the piston at TDC. Disassembly was uneventful. Upon reassembly, the rocker support plate doesn't sit flush on the lower rocker cover. There's an 1/16-1/18 inch gap. If I tighten any more, the pushrods won't spin freely. I'm afraid I might bend the push rods.

Any advice? Did I miss a step?

Appreciate the help.
 
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2014 | 10:17 AM
  #2  
HotRod9mm's Avatar
HotRod9mm
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 4
From: WA State(the OTHER Washington)
Default

The lifters have an internal piston that is spring loaded. When you remove the pushrods the piston moves up filling the lifter with oil. This is why you now have the "gap" and the lifters will need to bleed down before the engine can be turned over.

Check to see what cylinder the cam is on the base circle(44:20mins into the video below) of the cam, most likely the rear. Install the rocker plate on that cyl and then wait until the pushrods turn freely. At this point the lifters have bleed down and you can rotate the crank so the cam is on the base circle of the other cylinder then you can install the other rocker plate. Wait until the pushrods turn freely and finish your box install.

If you turn the crank before the pushrods turn freely you run the risk of the valves making contact with the pistons.



Hope this helps

.





.
 

Last edited by HotRod9mm; Jun 22, 2014 at 10:20 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2014 | 07:43 PM
  #3  
major105bc's Avatar
major105bc
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 5,062
From: GA
Default

Thanks HR9mm. We'll give it a try.
 
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2014 | 06:21 AM
  #4  
major105bc's Avatar
major105bc
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 5,062
From: GA
Default

HotRod9mm,

Thanks for your advice. It worked like a charm. By the time I bolted down the breather, the lifters bled and the push rods turn freely in my fingers.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bryan3091
Engine Mechanical Topics
20
Apr 12, 2019 06:49 AM
Blackline1
Engine Mechanical Topics
6
Dec 18, 2016 06:16 PM
tigers89
Sportster Models
2
Aug 12, 2014 10:14 PM
gabarnes28
Engine Mechanical Topics
3
Jul 21, 2013 01:30 PM
jlb0038
Exhaust System Topics
1
Jun 13, 2010 04:22 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:13 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE