Rocker Cover Install help!
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Rocker Cover Install help!
I could drive a bus through that... from the cone side.
From the clutch side.
The book says when I see this... the rear cylinder is top dead center.
I have an 84 Softail. This summer I noticed both rocker covers leaking and decided to install new gaskets. Front cylinder went fine. However, the rear one is proving to be worse than having to go back and pick up my microwave from the ex when we split up. (Hey I paid for that ****)
I've got everything back together ready to torque down the bolts for the lower cover but the cover doesn't sit down on the top of the head nearly as nice as the front cylinder. I have the piston in top dead center as best I can tell - the "Dot" is showing through the crankcase port so I'm assuming it is where it should be to bolt down but I have a huge gap between the head and the bottom of the lower rocker cover. I'm petrified of torqueing down on those bolts with that kind of gap. Did I do something wrong? What am I missing? The push rods are seated properly in the cups - everything looks like it is good to go - but I'm not so sure.
Am I going to warp the **** out of the cover even if I 1/4 turn each of the bolts in a cross pattern? I watched a couple of videos on this and it seemed that when these other guys put them back together they just dropped right down on the head and no problem.
Help...
Cruiser
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: GA
If you are using stock pushrods make sure you have the right one in each tube. (they are different length) If you have adjustables...maybe they need adjusting. My guess is that you are simply hitting pressure in the lifters and in about 10min can tighter the bolts another turn easy. As long as you have the cam in right....you can't really mess up the valves if you tighten up slow even if you are tightening up at any random part of the stroke.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
1st make sure you have the 4 base rocker bolts in the right place (they are 2 different lengths).
2nd forget about the dot. Remove the base rocker box and visually verify that the piston is at TDC.
3rd verify that you have the right pushrods in the right place.
4th make sure the rocker arms are set right on the pushrods.
That's all I can think of right now.
2nd forget about the dot. Remove the base rocker box and visually verify that the piston is at TDC.
3rd verify that you have the right pushrods in the right place.
4th make sure the rocker arms are set right on the pushrods.
That's all I can think of right now.
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
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From: Wisconsin
I'm going with option No. 1 first. I think I need to advance the engine another revolution before I do anything else. The pushrods are definitely in the right tubes (made damn sure of that) they are stock and are not adjustable. I can see the cylinder is TDC - pulled the spark plug and can clearly see its up. I also made sure the pushrods are seated properly in the cups on the rockers - no problem there either. I never opened the case up so I can't see where the cam is. I never even took off the pushrod tubes. I didn't think I needed to if I was only changing out the gaskets.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,025
Likes: 7,549
From: Poolville
Probably tdc on exhaust stroke. The gap indicates about the same as the lift of what the cam would be. Loosen the rocker assembly and watch the rocket assembly lower itself into position as you slowly turn the motor over by hand.
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Tried to turn the engine and it IS lower but not down on the top of the head. There is still a gap - a LOT less but still a gap.
I'm very concerned I'll warp the rocker cover if I try to go for it. Any other suggestions?
This bike runs (ran) like a top... I'd hate to be the guy who ****s it up.
I'm very concerned I'll warp the rocker cover if I try to go for it. Any other suggestions?
This bike runs (ran) like a top... I'd hate to be the guy who ****s it up.
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Haslet Texas
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: W. Texas
Ok I'll throw this in. If the gap is around the thickness of a nickle your ok. Work each bolt a 1/4 to 1/2 round each til you feel it get solid. Then about a 1/4 turn on each. !/2 ain't gonna kill it. If ya got a torque wrench to get in there that's good also. Yea I know your how ya feel. Back off a couple bolts say on your upper motor mount bolts and run them back in. Should give a feel for the solid that I'm talking about.
Beat of luck WP
Beat of luck WP