Happy Friday fellas. Finally getting into some good riding weather here in Iowa!

Here's the question of the day - I have had my 93 heritage out a few times this winter when it was warm enough to tolerate to cure my pms (parked motorcycle syndrome). I always warmed it up well like evos need before riding it. Anyway, I noticed a little oil around the rear cylinder base and a little bubbling (odd because it had all new engine gaskets last summer). then I noticed a little oil seepage around the front cylinder where the head meets the cylinder. So...I checked the head bolts and as suspected, they were loosening up. Has anyone else come across this, and would it be ok to just re-torque them in the same pattern as when assembling the engine? What are my options? All four on the spark plug side were somewhat loose - as in moderately easy to turn with a wrench (maybe 10ft lbs).

Thanks

 

 

Were they properly installed when the motor was last apart? If they were, then, no, they don't come loose. If they were not properly done, you could try tightening them up. You'll need a 3D bent box wrench to get the inner ones without pulling rocker boxes, but it is theoretically possible.

Otherwise, there is a somewhat rare problem with the studs pulling out of the case. You'll have to tear it down and if the case is not cracked, helicoil or time-sert the case.

 

^This^
Re-torquing the heads is a no-no.

 

On a side note......what intake is that?

 

This man speaks the truth BUT I once used a set of gaskets that came with a 1200 big bore kit for a 883 Sporty and the base gaskets were garbage, they compressed and the bolts lost torque.


Either way I would pull the top end off again.

 

This is why I like to read this ****, gotta live, well I might as well learn, I feel bad for you man cuz that sucks! I wouldn't be to happy myself. Sounds like a project and a half.

 

You will be better off in the long run to redo it.

I think I would be very tempted to re torque the heads as part of a tear down. See if things will torque to spec and feel solid when doing so.

If you have a stud that won't take the tightening you need to find out now rather than on the way back together. Do ck the cases for cracks at the studs. Tho rare as DR. Hess mentioned.

WP

 

Once upon a time, before modern gasket technology, (I showing my age here) whenever you installed head gaskets...you were suppose to run the motor through several heat cycles and then re-torque the heads...I even remember when the modern gaskets first came out...they said "no re-torque required" on the package.

If by chance you used cheap gaskets, you could be back in the dark ages...either way I would re-torque them...maybe even a couple of times...and see if they get to the point where they hold their torque before you tear it down...you have nothing to lose.

 

Love to know what that Air cleaner is too, nice low profile to it.

Steve