Just acquired a 1985 Wide glide. I think I have all the Trany and primary oil leaks sorted out now. So now I am thinking about the engine. Had several evo bikes before including a 1992 FLHS that had base gaskets leak. Were the early evos also prone to base gasket leaks??? Or were the early ones less prone to that issue?? Thanks.

 

Yeah, they do that.

 

A buddy's E-'85 was very prone to base gasket leaks until I helped him install some Cometic SLS base gaskets.

 

The AL cylinders move.
Warms ups are important.
Check the base of cylinders and spigot holes for flatness.
Probably they might maybe have dimpled after all these years.
My cure ? Cast iron cylinders!
They dont move and seal everything better.
New studs as the elasticity are probably dead in the 30-year-old crap. (deck ht and squish become one less subtraction)

A Quality gasket sealer like Yammabond .

If Cast Iron is used you do not even need a gasket, just a sealer.

 

I would much prefer to just use a gasket than a sealer.

 

You cant use just a sealer with al jugs .

 

Can, but, won't work worth a ****.. Folks need to learn the Warm up of the Sandwich...

 

I stumbled onto Axtell stuff ,I knew he existed forever -But I was a bit hesitant about the cast iron jugs .
Turns out, it was the best mistake I have ever made with the EVO.
I will never go back to rubber cylinders for this application.

 

How many times this has been posted over the years ... It's an innate part of owning an EVO

 

Maybe for the new guys, they need info too.