gaskets
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: St.Louis Mo.
gaskets
getting ready to pull down my 92. i'm going to use james coated metal base gaskets. i was talking to an indy yesterday and he was showing me some solid copper head gaskets that he uses all the time and really likes, anybody ever use these? also he said don't use the james lower rocker box gaskets as they leak. he told me he can't get the evo's to seal up unless you pull them down to 55lbs of torque, i know that stock torque equals out to about 45lbs. this seems pretty high to me as i sure don't want to end up pulling the studs out of the case's. he said the james head gaskets were pretty good though.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
I have never had to over tighten rocker cover bolts on an Evo, no matter what brand gaskets were used. As long as the covers are not warped and the surfaces are clean, all it takes is some patience and proper procedure.
James, Cometic and even OEM, are all good stuff these days.
While your parts are at the machinist, have him true the bottoms of the cylinders in a lathe, this will provide a much better sealing surface between the cases and the jugs.
James, Cometic and even OEM, are all good stuff these days.
While your parts are at the machinist, have him true the bottoms of the cylinders in a lathe, this will provide a much better sealing surface between the cases and the jugs.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Apr 27, 2013 at 08:39 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Ohio
I have never had to over tighten rocker cover bolts on an Evo, no matter what brand gaskets were used. As long as the covers are not warped and the surfaces are clean, all it takes is some patience and proper procedure.
James, Cometic and even OEM, are all good stuff these days.
While your parts are at the machinist, have him true the bottoms of the cylinders in a lathe, this will provide a much better sealing surface between the cases and the jugs.
James, Cometic and even OEM, are all good stuff these days.
While your parts are at the machinist, have him true the bottoms of the cylinders in a lathe, this will provide a much better sealing surface between the cases and the jugs.
Gasket technology has passed copper head gaskets and copper coat, MLS with Viton is good in Cometics and never had any problems with James gaskets
Last edited by 1997bagger; Apr 27, 2013 at 09:45 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Ohio
More for high compression race type engines and Isuzu ran them years ago in diesel engines. Copper head gaskets have the old school approach and I'm a fan of old school items but some advancement area can't be overlooked as new fangled gadgets and todays gaskets are one of them. One more thing I came across is that a HD oil seal is superior over even Cometic seals, compare them side to side and the sealing area shows it.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
The only bikes I have used them on are Velocettes! My 350 and 500 singles used copper gaskets on the raised cylinder liner, so the seal was made around the narrow ring of the liner.
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: St.Louis Mo.
thanks, i think i will stick with either the james or the teflon. i like the cometics and have a friend that's a mid u.s.a. dealer and can get them pretty cheap.
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From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
I use James gaskets to cure leaking lower rocker boxes....someone is giving you suspect advice. Copper gaskets are for Ironheads, the fancy composite ones are what an Evo requires.
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