Need some help with gasket selection.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
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Need some help with gasket selection.
Ok, I've got a 1993 FXSTC and my rear base gasket is leaking pretty bad. I have a mechanical back ground but have never been into a Harley motor, I do have the Harley service manual and I'm confident I can do the job. I would really like some more power without spending a ton of cash, so I have decided to go with 9.5 to 1 compression Keith Black pistons while I am there. Anyone know what stock compression is? I think it's 8 to 1???? I am also going to stick with standard bore and just hone it, I have 25,000 miles.
Now I'm not sure what gaskets I should go with. I've done a lot of searching on this site and some people go with thinner base or head baskets for more compression, if it's not too much trouble I would like to do this too, maybe get 9.8 to 1 or so. If I do this do I need adjustablepushrods? Like I said I've never been into a Harley motor but Ican handle it, I'vedonetons of automotive and Honda engines.
If anyone has any recommendations for me I'd love to hear them, I plan on sticking with the stock cam (might change at a later date), just wanting to change pistons now because I'll be there. If I'm going about this all wrong please speak up. And if anyone has remmendations for any parts links would be very helpful. Thanks guys!
Now I'm not sure what gaskets I should go with. I've done a lot of searching on this site and some people go with thinner base or head baskets for more compression, if it's not too much trouble I would like to do this too, maybe get 9.8 to 1 or so. If I do this do I need adjustablepushrods? Like I said I've never been into a Harley motor but Ican handle it, I'vedonetons of automotive and Honda engines.
If anyone has any recommendations for me I'd love to hear them, I plan on sticking with the stock cam (might change at a later date), just wanting to change pistons now because I'll be there. If I'm going about this all wrong please speak up. And if anyone has remmendations for any parts links would be very helpful. Thanks guys!
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
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RE: Need some help with gasket selection.
If this was me, I'd stick with the stock pistons, only 25k miles, I have 55k on my stock '98 Evo pistons, my CCP is 165 psi both cylinders. Maybe I'd replace the stock rings if my pressure wasn't good. Since you are pulling the heads to get to the cylinders, I'd put in a bolt-in cam, and stay with the stock pushrods. You'll get a nice boost in torque with out any maching or adjustable pushrods hitting the tubes and driving you crazy. Use your stock cam gear, take it off your stock cam and have it pressed onto the new camshaft.
I think stock Evo compression is 8.5:1.
I think stock Evo compression is 8.5:1.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
RE: Need some help with gasket selection.
James Gaskets.
However, when you break down the motor, install this: http://www.haydensm6.com/tof_single.htm
I'd also use the James base gaskets with it.
Now, since you're thinking about tearing into it:
Clean the jugs up with whatever hone/boring tool necessary. Install a set of high compression pistons/rings, rework the heads with a good valve job and 'street porting'.I wouldn't recommend anything over a 9.5:1 compression ratio with the quality of pump premium out there. Ditch the stock cam for an aftermarket cam that matches your riding style. Check into an EV46 or comparable model for your particular softail. Like was posted use your present cam gear, and swap to the Torrington bearing. You can reuse the stock pushrods, just keep them in order as they are different lengths. Add a free flowing air cleaner, SE, Ness, S&S, or other. Then look into a good exhaust system. Thunderheader makes a very good 2-1 for the EVO, IMO (I'll be swapping to one on my FLHS when the present SuperTrapps get doggy looking). Lastly add an aftermarket ignition, either Dyna, SE, Crane, etc. This will allow you to rev the bike into the horsepower of the motor. You're not gonna be running it constantly at 6000+ rpms so don't be overly concerned about valve train issues. Get the stock CV carb tuned, preferably on a dyno, for your setup. It's well worth the time/money if you can find someone that knows how to properly set up the CV carb using a dyno.
Depending on the cam choice, you should be easily 85/85 on the numbers. All reliable power in the rpm range that you'll be using the most.
However, when you break down the motor, install this: http://www.haydensm6.com/tof_single.htm
I'd also use the James base gaskets with it.
Now, since you're thinking about tearing into it:
Clean the jugs up with whatever hone/boring tool necessary. Install a set of high compression pistons/rings, rework the heads with a good valve job and 'street porting'.I wouldn't recommend anything over a 9.5:1 compression ratio with the quality of pump premium out there. Ditch the stock cam for an aftermarket cam that matches your riding style. Check into an EV46 or comparable model for your particular softail. Like was posted use your present cam gear, and swap to the Torrington bearing. You can reuse the stock pushrods, just keep them in order as they are different lengths. Add a free flowing air cleaner, SE, Ness, S&S, or other. Then look into a good exhaust system. Thunderheader makes a very good 2-1 for the EVO, IMO (I'll be swapping to one on my FLHS when the present SuperTrapps get doggy looking). Lastly add an aftermarket ignition, either Dyna, SE, Crane, etc. This will allow you to rev the bike into the horsepower of the motor. You're not gonna be running it constantly at 6000+ rpms so don't be overly concerned about valve train issues. Get the stock CV carb tuned, preferably on a dyno, for your setup. It's well worth the time/money if you can find someone that knows how to properly set up the CV carb using a dyno.
Depending on the cam choice, you should be easily 85/85 on the numbers. All reliable power in the rpm range that you'll be using the most.
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Cruiser
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RE: Need some help with gasket selection.
Wow, thanks alot. I had never seen those oil leak fix jets, I will get those for sure. And a small cam without changing the valve train or pushrods would be great, I'm not trying to build a drag bike or anything but some extra acceleration is nice. I'm probably going to just go with the 9.5 pistons for now. I had considered the 10.5 but decided that would be too much for air cooled, looks like the 9.5 was a good choice. Thanks alot and if anyone has any other suggestions or thoughts le me know.
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Cruiser
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RE: Need some help with gasket selection.
Well I pulled the rear jug slightly up last night. I was going to try to just replace that gasket only but after all the crap I had to take off I might as well just do the pistons and cam now.
I just bought the torrington cam bearing and the Hayden oil leak fix kit. I am going with the EV46 but have not purchased it yet.
The only thing I'm not sure on is the pistons. I've been looking at Screaming eagle, Keith Black and Wiesco. I want to stay on the cheaper side too. I've seen some Screaming eagle kits on ebay with 10.1 compression but they are .005 over. I'm assuming a machine shop would need to hone the cylinders to size. I'm not wanting to do that, I just want some that will allow me to hone the cylinders myself. Does anyone have a piston recommendation? A link would be great. And also what about the gaskets? Anyone have a top end gasket kit they can reccomend?
As far as the air filter goes, I actually like the stock one and someone told me I could just cut the back of it out for more air flow. Thoughts on that? Will the stock element flow enough? My exaust is 2.25 Samson short shots.
I just bought the torrington cam bearing and the Hayden oil leak fix kit. I am going with the EV46 but have not purchased it yet.
The only thing I'm not sure on is the pistons. I've been looking at Screaming eagle, Keith Black and Wiesco. I want to stay on the cheaper side too. I've seen some Screaming eagle kits on ebay with 10.1 compression but they are .005 over. I'm assuming a machine shop would need to hone the cylinders to size. I'm not wanting to do that, I just want some that will allow me to hone the cylinders myself. Does anyone have a piston recommendation? A link would be great. And also what about the gaskets? Anyone have a top end gasket kit they can reccomend?
As far as the air filter goes, I actually like the stock one and someone told me I could just cut the back of it out for more air flow. Thoughts on that? Will the stock element flow enough? My exaust is 2.25 Samson short shots.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
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RE: Need some help with gasket selection.
You can't hack away at your stock air cleaner and expect it to flow properly. Get the SE air cleaner, one of the few SE items that performs as well as any aftermarket one. Wiseco and Keith Black are good pistons.And you need about 30 more cubic inches to even begin to use those Short Shots, and even then they're mainly for looks, not performance.
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RE: Need some help with gasket selection.
ORIGINAL: mp
You can't hack away at your stock air cleaner and expect it to flow properly. Get the SE air cleaner, one of the few SE items that performs as well as any aftermarket one. Wiseco and Keith Black are good pistons.And you need about 30 more cubic inches to even begin to use those Short Shots, and even then they're mainly for looks, not performance.
You can't hack away at your stock air cleaner and expect it to flow properly. Get the SE air cleaner, one of the few SE items that performs as well as any aftermarket one. Wiseco and Keith Black are good pistons.And you need about 30 more cubic inches to even begin to use those Short Shots, and even then they're mainly for looks, not performance.
I know my exhaust in huge but it was on the bike when I got it and I do like the way it looks.
I have decided to go with these pistons. 9.5 to 1 KB standard bore and good price. http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/produc...tId=&mmyId=
I think I have it pretty much figured out for now but if anyone has any more suggestions just let me know.
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RE: Need some help with gasket selection.
Changed my mind again. I just ordered 10 to 1 screaming eagle pistons.
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