Crap, now what?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 705
From: DFW
If you're going to do the work yourself, this was a helpful video for me doing it for the first time. I lucked out and only had to do the front cylinder gaskets. I'm not a mechanic and this was the first time doing engine work like this...and it's still running. Word of advice doubling up on upper rocker gaskets is not recommended. lol I still have no idea how I missed that upon re-assembly. fortunate again it was an easy fix as I had experience now. 
With the work you had done recently, they were twiddling with the pushrods. Wouldn't be a hard thing at all for them to have disturbed the seal and created a drip.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,928
From: NorCal
Great minds think alike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,277
Likes: 7,756
From: West Central FL
Right. Seeping is one thing and leaking is something else. I had some seepage occurring through the rear base gasket on my 93 FLSTC. I'm not going to go through the time and expense of replacing the gasket but I did get it to stop seeping. I don't really care for Evos but it is a pretty good looking and running bike. However, if someone should come along with a decent running Shovelhead (don't really care how it looks) I'd probably swap even up.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 36
Likes: 16
From: WA
Thanks for all of the help everyone!
Since I cleaned it all up, I’ve got about another 150 miles on and so far so good. Based on what I initially found, there should at least be some seepage or something visible at this point. Hoping it’s just a false alarm. Have a gasket kit ordered just in case.
I’ll commute it a couple times and maybe another long ride and if all goes well, gonna do a 3-hole fluid change and go!
Since I cleaned it all up, I’ve got about another 150 miles on and so far so good. Based on what I initially found, there should at least be some seepage or something visible at this point. Hoping it’s just a false alarm. Have a gasket kit ordered just in case.
I’ll commute it a couple times and maybe another long ride and if all goes well, gonna do a 3-hole fluid change and go!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 36
Likes: 16
From: WA
Made it through the 4k mile trip and ran great. Just needed to get a fork seal replaced after a nasty dust storm but that was the only hiccup.
Going to tackle the gasket job soon. I have a pretty good handle on the process, but looking for a close-up photo or video about separating the piston at the wrist pin. I want to keep the rings compressed in the piston and worried I’ll be trying to balance the whole thing and figuring out how to get the pin out. I’m sure I’ll figure it out, but want to know what I’m getting into beforehand.
I see there’s a removal tool available - do I need one? Didn’t see any mention above. Otherwise I should just need an inch-lb torque wrench and the internal torx sockets in addition to the tools I already have. Also going to have a gasket scraper and permatex gasket remover on hand.
Going to tackle the gasket job soon. I have a pretty good handle on the process, but looking for a close-up photo or video about separating the piston at the wrist pin. I want to keep the rings compressed in the piston and worried I’ll be trying to balance the whole thing and figuring out how to get the pin out. I’m sure I’ll figure it out, but want to know what I’m getting into beforehand.
I see there’s a removal tool available - do I need one? Didn’t see any mention above. Otherwise I should just need an inch-lb torque wrench and the internal torx sockets in addition to the tools I already have. Also going to have a gasket scraper and permatex gasket remover on hand.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 16
Just a Heads Up...
The Harley Techs figured out that you can leave the intake manifold in place and remove both cylinder heads and the manifold at the same time. You're probably going to replace both manifold seals when it goes back together...
Once all of the head bolts are out they're just sitting there.
It's easier to remove the manifold seals/clamps from the heads on the bench.
Once all of the head bolts are out they're just sitting there.
It's easier to remove the manifold seals/clamps from the heads on the bench.