Rocker covers

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Jul 16, 2020 | 05:02 PM

#11

TedMan

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2005

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Hess

Yeah. NAPA Aviation Form a Gasket.

Thanks. So one would use this in addition to the regular gasket?

Jul 16, 2020 | 05:25 PM

#12

Dan89FLSTC

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Joined: May 2008

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From: South Carolina

Toss the center rocker box detail into the scrap bin, they get old and soft, and bulge when you tighten the top down.

The original centers on my `89 got so bad that I could see inside after I torqued them down...

Jul 16, 2020 | 07:42 PM

#13

Dr.Hess

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From: NW AR

Assuming your center is not as bad ad Dan's, I have used the NAPA pookie to help seal a rocker box on the Sportster. Coat the gasket, assemble, clean up the excess.

Jul 16, 2020 | 07:53 PM

#14

t150vej

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From: NC USA

I've found aftermarket gaskets are a tick thicker and harder than OEM. The center square gasket holds the top cover up in the middle "just enough" that with the offset bolt pattern, the top cover gets umbrella'd down and uneven when you tighten the screws. That's especially bad on a bottom breather because it can let the center spacer slide around with heat and vibration. Shifting not as much a problem on a top breather. Always use OEM rocker gaskets.

Jul 16, 2020 | 08:43 PM

#15

TedMan

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Thanks for everyone's input. I think I will ask my Indy to try OEM rocker gaskets plus the Aviation goo first before I rush out and buy a center spacer. Will update when this is solved. Thanks again.

Jul 17, 2020 | 08:47 AM

#16

Dan89FLSTC

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From: South Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by t150vej

The center square gasket holds the top cover up in the middle "just enough" that with the offset bolt pattern, the top cover gets umbrella'd down and uneven when you tighten the screws. That's especially bad on a bottom breather because it can let the center spacer slide around with heat and vibration. Shifting not as much a problem on a top breather.

Thinking out loud here...

Would a top breather rocker support be the preferred replacement part, even on a bottom breather, is it a direct fit?

Jul 17, 2020 | 09:12 AM

#17

TedMan

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thanks, Dan, but my 96 flstn is a top breather.

Jul 17, 2020 | 09:28 AM

#18

t150vej

HDF Community Team

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From: NC USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC

Thinking out loud here...

Would a top breather rocker support be the preferred replacement part, even on a bottom breather, is it a direct fit?

Sure. All the parts will bolt right on to a bottom breather head. Lower gaskets are identical as is the center rubber. Top and middle cover rubbers are different.

But since all those hard parts are N/A from HD, aftermarket has either, unless you found some known good used ones. I've not used any repro, so can't say which ones may be good or bad.