Hi to all and hope ypu all survived the Christmas hols and got a few miles in.
Plenty of snow in Ireland, first white Christmas for many years, so no go here and anyways, bike is stripped.

Putting it back together now. Have barrells on and fitting heads but just a quickie about torques.

Fitting a James gasket set and they say to torque in sequence and using different settings until a final setting of 38-42 ft-lbs is reached.

The Clymer manual says to torque in sequence until you reach a setting of 12-14 ft-lbs is reached, then mark bolts and heads and tighten 1/4 turn further.

Which method should be used??????

I have not changed headsbolts or studs.

Thanks

Tony.

 

Probably go with the gasket maker since this is the changed variable. Either would probably work out. The important thing is probably getting them all the same. I sure they are a lot of people who just tighten them by fill. My Softail say 120-144 in/lb, 15-17Lb at a pattern and then 90 degree (1/4 turn) in a slightly different pattern. If you go with finial torque of 38-42 bet its around 90 degree from 15.

 

Don't know what year bike Are you using the latest HD cyl studs The ones that bottom out to the stud collar

 

Good point Sqdealgeorge.

Should have said it is a 1986 FLST and using original old style studs that do NOT have a collar.

Tony.

 

I would update Not big $ If you need a P/N let us know

 

Does the collar you are refering to go down toward block or up toward head?

 

Last winter when I picked up the bored cylinders and reconditioned heads I picked up the james gasket kit from the harley mechanic and he said to be sure to follow the directions on the box.

 

The Harley method if done with a good beam type torque wrench and lubed head bolts will come out to about 42 lbs. Early on most good mechanics figured this out and use the straight torque method regularly. Hope this helps

 

The collar on the latest HD cyl studs goes at the bottom where the stud goes into the cases It bottoms out to the collar no more measuring for proper stud length

 

thats what i did mine to, 35 pounds.