Crap, now what?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2022
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From: WA
Crap, now what?
I finally just got my bike back from getting the cam bearing changed to a Torrington and a new set of lifters installed. Ive been wanting to put some miles on and finally had a chance for a quick 150 miler today.
The bike ran perfect for the entire run as always - just 50-70 mile an hour highway cruising on windy roads. All was right with the world.
When I pulled in the driveway I accidentally dropped the key down behind the exhaust pulling it out. It was then I noticed a couple drops of oil on top of the trans. Looks like its coming from the head gasket just above
Now Im a bit stressed because Im guessing it shouldnt be run now and I have a 5k or so mile trip planned in early May. Not likely my local indy can get me in (let alone back out) by then, and not sure I have the skills to get it done. Im handy with a wrench, have most of the tools, and do lots of peripheral wrenching, but havent messed with engine internals yet.
Any ideas on how to proceed or what to check?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Poolville
With a flashlight check the exhaust port where the exhaust pipe hooks up to the cylinder head and make sure you don't have oil leaking down that part of the head from The rocker cover assemblies... It's very possible it's leaking from above and coming down there and going up underneath the cylinder head to the top of the cylinder..
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 36
Likes: 16
From: WA
With a flashlight check the exhaust port where the exhaust pipe hooks up to the cylinder head and make sure you don't have oil leaking down that part of the head from The rocker cover assemblies... It's very possible it's leaking from above and coming down there and going up underneath the cylinder head to the top of the cylinder..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Poolville
Yeah if you do have to do head gaskets it doesn't stop there you're going to have to do the base gaskets as well...
Sometimes it's really to hard to draw a conclusion from pictures but it looks like that there has been seepage at the head gasket for quite a long time based on the way the oil is baked in there. You said you had two drops on your transmission, it doesn't appear to the extent where I think it would drip at least what I can see by the pictures.. I would definitely take a closer look.. Post up a pic of the rear of the rocker cover as well as the exhaust port..
Sometimes it's really to hard to draw a conclusion from pictures but it looks like that there has been seepage at the head gasket for quite a long time based on the way the oil is baked in there. You said you had two drops on your transmission, it doesn't appear to the extent where I think it would drip at least what I can see by the pictures.. I would definitely take a closer look.. Post up a pic of the rear of the rocker cover as well as the exhaust port..
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Apr 17, 2022 at 08:08 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
So was it like that before you took it into the shop for the bearing and lifter work?
Are you running the stock one-piece pushrods? If so in order to change out the cam bearing and lifters, the mechanic would have had to pull the top end off above the cylinders. Wonderining if the wrench just reused the same gaskets rather than using new gaskets.
What does your work order state was done?
Are you running the stock one-piece pushrods? If so in order to change out the cam bearing and lifters, the mechanic would have had to pull the top end off above the cylinders. Wonderining if the wrench just reused the same gaskets rather than using new gaskets.
What does your work order state was done?
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2022
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From: WA
It got adjustable pushrods. All new gaskets on the cam chest etc, as far as I could tell the heads didnt come off, and no reason they should have.
Never noticed it before today, but agree it looks like its been there a bit. Wondering if the long run today was enough to make it drip a little. Everywhere else looks clean.
Never noticed it before today, but agree it looks like its been there a bit. Wondering if the long run today was enough to make it drip a little. Everywhere else looks clean.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2022
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From: WA
If the head gasket leaks, would I for sure see lower compression in the rear? Was thinking about checking it. Pretty much resigned to doing the head, base, and rocker box gaskets. Just not sure if it can be done in time for my trip…
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Poolville
Not necessarily.. it could just be leaking around the oil return port.. let's start with the basics, year, model and mileage? Is your motor (pistons) stock? Do a compression test and list the numbers.. As for doing the gaskets you should be able to do the job in one day. For the gasket set I use Cometic and might as well get the set with the. 030" head gasket...