Best Base Gasket?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 5
From: Florida
I rebuilt mine from the flywheels up about 3k ago. Scraped off all the old paper crap by hand (stock base gaskets were a mother). Used a Cometic full set on motor, James on the oil pump. Its as dry as a bone in the Arizona desert so far. 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Then you did it wrong somehow.....I have bikes out there that have 30K on James gaskets, both Evo and TC, none of them have ever shat a gasket.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 23
From: Summit, Mississippi
Every EVO I ever owned or saw eventually developed a weeping or leaking base gasket, in particular the front. I'm determined to get the best gasket I can find. I don't think it will be the stock HD gasket either. Cometic or James is looking pretty good at this point. The only lifter block gasket I've seen leak or weep was one that had worked a block loose.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
Install The Oil Fix from Hayden M6 and never be concerned about leaking base gaskets again. http://www.haydensm6.com/tof_single.
Been on my EVO since 2006 and nary a leak.
Been on my EVO since 2006 and nary a leak.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 23
From: Summit, Mississippi
I used a light fog of Permatex copper spray on my base gaskets, but I used copper base gaskets. I believe that most head-gasket suppliers don't recommend that anything be applied. I also used the Permatex black make-a-gasket (very light coat) on all my rocker-box gaskets. Longevity will tell how it works out.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 264
Likes: 24
From: Jackson, MS
It's been a long night, but I am still waiting on the part number
John, its been awhile (3+ years) but did you ever get a chance to find the part number for the base gasket that you use? The one made by Rivera, ...when all else fails?