the only cometic stuff i've run with the 2 evos i've rebuilt were head gaskets and base gaskets.... went with stock harley for everything else

IMO and experience, james aren't that good.... i've had them leak on a primary gasket, and the rocker base gaskets pale in quality compared to HD.... they're made of paper while harley is rubber over tin

but that's just me...i'm sure others swear by james

 

Jsbridgew: how has your cometic rebuilds hold up? I think I'm gonna go this route. I've used cometic on cam cover and outter primary cover, seem to be good.

 

What's the difference between the "regular" and the EST top end gasket sets on the JP site? Thanks.

 

I'm taking that the est are the rubber coated metal gaskets.

What's the stock bore size of a 95 evo?

 

the cometics have held up nicely.... in fact, i pulled my cylinders early in the season because i wanted to check for piston slap, and reused the cylinder base gaskets... still no leaks...they really are a great gasket

and i'm not sure about the 'est' (extreme sealing technology) top end gasket set on JP site.... could be that they are the rubber coated tin gaskets like what harley offers...i've always just went to my local HD dealership to get top end gaskets

stock bore size of a 95 evo is 3.5

 

also....pay attention to the instructions on the cometic head gaskets.... they're MLS gaskets (multi layered steel) riveted together.... you may have to snip off the rivet... and you don't use the o-rings on the cylinders .....also, stock thickness is .045, but cometic lists the available sizes as .030 and .040 ....get the .040, obviously ....this is because they don't 'crush' the same way as regular gaskets

 

When putting it back together, make absolutely sure the wrist pin retainer clips are fully seated in their grooves. Follow the torque procedure that comes with the gaskets. Then be sure to warm up the engine properly before putting it under a load to ensure long gasket life because the jugs expand up to four thousandths of an inch when hot. The torque specs allow for this. Putting a cold engine under load is asking for gasket trouble.

 

Well, I appreciate all the replies and pointers fellas. Waiting for some extra scratch to start the job. I might wait a little longer and do higher compression pistons and new springs since Ill have her apart.

 

what D1gger says, too!

don't follow the torque procedure in the manual....cometic comes with instructions on how they like their gaskets torqued

keep us posted!

 

One final tip after torquing the heads down let them set overnight and re-torque them to the final torque step (42 ft lbs) one last time before you finish the assembly. You might want to consider Total Seal file to fit rings instead of new valve springs. AQs long as the cam you are installing doesn't call for them, most bolt ins don't. I would have them set up by a good shop to ensure installed height and pressure are OK and put in fresh seals while you are at it.
John