Flathead A place to talk about Flathead motors.

Flathead Fact Wanted!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 30, 2007 | 09:29 AM
  #1  
Hoze's Avatar
Hoze
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Default Flathead Fact Wanted!

Anybody have the torque spec for ALUMINUM heads on an 80' Flat? Shop Dope says to make them "secure" I`m hoping for a more definite answer. T.I.A.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:53 AM
  #2  
Oldtimer of NM's Avatar
Oldtimer of NM
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 770
Likes: 2
From: East NM
Default RE: Flathead Fact Wanted!

You have to remember that, when that was written, probably fewer than 1 shop in 5 even owned a torque wrench. It is very important that the bolts are tightened evenly. As best I can remember, aluminum heads should be torqued to 55 - 60 ft/lb, but you should verify that because it's been a number of years since I looked it up.
By the way, these guys http://www.antiquecyclesupply.com/ can fix you up with a service manual reprint for $20, lots more detail than Shop Dope.
 
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2007 | 02:19 PM
  #3  
panz4ever's Avatar
panz4ever
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Default RE: Flathead Fact Wanted!

Hoze...best I could come up with....checked my 45 engine overhaul manual for HD 45 for 29-52 and it says the following:

1. First turn down head bots until snug;

2. Then tighten them one-eigth to one-quarter turn at a time until all are securely tightened;

3. Use special head bolt wrench 41-W-1525 (whatever that is);

4. If torque wrench is available, tighten head bolts to 60 foot-pounds minimum; 65 foot-pounds maximum when engine is cold.

I believe 45s were all(?) aluminum heads from 41-73 but I am no expert in this by any means.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Lambda
Engine Mechanical Topics
11
Apr 22, 2016 07:44 AM
dm.logan
Softail Models
3
Apr 14, 2016 04:02 PM
customsoftail200
Exhaust System Topics
4
Jan 26, 2010 12:59 PM
MontanaPanFan
Panhead
5
Oct 21, 2007 10:48 AM
KustimKool
Exhaust System Topics
1
Sep 19, 2007 05:24 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:14 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE