Removing heads need new base oring?
11-25-2018, 01:57 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: redbank new Jersey
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 0
Removing heads need new base oring?
Want to remove heads to send out for work. Not wanting to remove jugs. I wonder if breaking the seal would it required to replace the base gasket oring
11-25-2018, 02:17 PM
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 4,251
I took the heads off of mine around 40,000 miles ago and didn't change the base orings. No problems. I didn't pull up on the cylinders, though.
11-25-2018, 02:57 PM
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Globe AZ
Posts: 8,292
it is generally considered good practice to replace the o-rings if you remove the heads. Not saying leaks will happen, but the chance is there once torque is removed from the studs, and things start moving around a bit. Its cheap insurance to prevent a leak
11-25-2018, 03:04 PM
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Okanagan, BC
Posts: 1,811
Yeah I would, you never know until its all back together then you gotta go back in again. Peace of mind for sure.
11-25-2018, 03:13 PM
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Milton Mills NH
Posts: 2,050
You will never be as close to changing them as you are right now.
Save yourself some heart ache, change them.
11-25-2018, 03:20 PM
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Honah Lee
Posts: 34,186
You pull the cylinders, you really need to brake the glaze and re-ring. It would take a long long time for the old to reseat after moving around.
When new, they fit themselves pretty quick but now there is scratches and raised areas. They are not going to be aligned when you go back.
How old are the o-rings.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; 11-25-2018 at 03:28 PM.
11-25-2018, 03:22 PM
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Viet Vet, crossroads
Posts: 4,576
"O" rings respond very well to the use of a silicone assembly grease.
S0 many people will dribble silicone sealer everywhere on "O" ring type seals.
.
This is a mistake as this stops them from moving and sealing up the gap they are supposed to seal
11-25-2018, 03:54 PM
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 5,530
In chasing base gasket leaks on EVO's it was some what common to raise the cylinder enough to remove the wrist pin, allowing the removal of the cylinder with the piston still in it,
This left the rings undisturbed
Not sure if this would apply to the bike your working on tho.
WP
11-25-2018, 04:03 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: redbank new Jersey
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 0
I did a 95 inch kit 9500 miles go and want to send the heads out to do compression releases is why I want the heads pulled.. To hard to start
11-25-2018, 04:06 PM
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Perkasie Pa
Posts: 507
Best idea yet. Works great