Base gasket replacement procedure
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
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
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
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
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
Last edited by jsbridgew; Jun 21, 2012 at 06:02 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
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
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 684
Likes: 9
From: Indian Head, PA
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.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 12
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.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
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
John
Last edited by miacycles; Jun 21, 2012 at 10:52 AM.