Head Gaskets Leaking
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 111
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From: Fremont, California
Head Gaskets Leaking
Ok all,
I am once again in need of your assistance.
As I was riding today, my head gaskets started weeping, and some oil seepage is coming out... smoke is forming at stops.
What is the best way to change the gaskets on my '79 XLCH?
Anything special I need to do, in order not to screw anything up?
I am once again in need of your assistance.As I was riding today, my head gaskets started weeping, and some oil seepage is coming out... smoke is forming at stops.
What is the best way to change the gaskets on my '79 XLCH?
Anything special I need to do, in order not to screw anything up?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,228
Likes: 7,805
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
Get some good James or Cometics for a brand. Set for the box top too since it's coming off.
Torque wrench with the special offset set so you can get to those front 'n rear head bolts.
Torque wrench with the special offset set so you can get to those front 'n rear head bolts.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, California
Which type of torque wrenches are the special ones?
I need all the hand holding on this I can get, as I am still a fresh one when it comes to wrenching on HD's
So far I have changed the kickstand, Rocker oil lines and gaskets, Heli-Coiled generator, re-routed some hoses, adjusted the horn so it doesn't rub on the motor, changed filter on intake.. but this gasket fix will be the first biggie for me.
Is changing the gasket a relatively easy job, as long as a person is somewhat mechanically inclined?
I need all the hand holding on this I can get, as I am still a fresh one when it comes to wrenching on HD's
So far I have changed the kickstand, Rocker oil lines and gaskets, Heli-Coiled generator, re-routed some hoses, adjusted the horn so it doesn't rub on the motor, changed filter on intake.. but this gasket fix will be the first biggie for me.
Is changing the gasket a relatively easy job, as long as a person is somewhat mechanically inclined?
Last edited by Jamz; Aug 14, 2013 at 05:48 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,228
Likes: 7,805
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
About 3 weeks ago I had bike in my sig pic apart...doing my rocker box gaskets and head gaskets.
Battery lead off so no power
Pipes off
Tank off (drain tank first)
Carb off
Intake manifold off
Rock box oil lines out
Rocker box loosened
Pushrods out (here's some fun for ya the first time)
Rocker box off
Head off
Basically reverse order to go back on.
Pushrods are the most difficult part.
Check out pictures in page 2 of this thread...you'll see the extensions I mean. You cannot get to all the head bolts with a regular socket or box wrench, need a short one that extends from the 1/2" drive to get to those rear 'n front ones.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/shove...-question.html
This'll be a good thread with lots of input. I'm still new at it, did mine with the excellent help of a Shovelhead guy that had tons of experience and lived about 20 minutes from me.
Did it in 3 nights. First night all apart. Second night heads 'n rocker boxes back together. Third night all the rest of it back on and first ride.
Battery lead off so no power
Pipes off
Tank off (drain tank first)
Carb off
Intake manifold off
Rock box oil lines out
Rocker box loosened
Pushrods out (here's some fun for ya the first time)
Rocker box off
Head off
Basically reverse order to go back on.
Pushrods are the most difficult part.
Check out pictures in page 2 of this thread...you'll see the extensions I mean. You cannot get to all the head bolts with a regular socket or box wrench, need a short one that extends from the 1/2" drive to get to those rear 'n front ones.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/shove...-question.html
This'll be a good thread with lots of input. I'm still new at it, did mine with the excellent help of a Shovelhead guy that had tons of experience and lived about 20 minutes from me.
Did it in 3 nights. First night all apart. Second night heads 'n rocker boxes back together. Third night all the rest of it back on and first ride.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, California
About 3 weeks ago I had bike in my sig pic apart...doing my rocker box gaskets and head gaskets.
Battery lead off so no power
Pipes off
Tank off (drain tank first)
Carb off
Intake manifold off
Rock box oil lines out
Rocker box loosened
Pushrods out (here's some fun for ya the first time)
Rocker box off
Head off
Basically reverse order to go back on.
Pushrods are the most difficult part.
Check out pictures in page 2 of this thread...you'll see the extensions I mean. You cannot get to all the head bolts with a regular socket or box wrench, need a short one that extends from the 1/2" drive to get to those rear 'n front ones.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/shove...-question.html
This'll be a good thread with lots of input. I'm still new at it, did mine with the excellent help of a Shovelhead guy that had tons of experience and lived about 20 minutes from me.
Did it in 3 nights. First night all apart. Second night heads 'n rocker boxes back together. Third night all the rest of it back on and first ride.
Battery lead off so no power
Pipes off
Tank off (drain tank first)
Carb off
Intake manifold off
Rock box oil lines out
Rocker box loosened
Pushrods out (here's some fun for ya the first time)
Rocker box off
Head off
Basically reverse order to go back on.
Pushrods are the most difficult part.
Check out pictures in page 2 of this thread...you'll see the extensions I mean. You cannot get to all the head bolts with a regular socket or box wrench, need a short one that extends from the 1/2" drive to get to those rear 'n front ones.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/shove...-question.html
This'll be a good thread with lots of input. I'm still new at it, did mine with the excellent help of a Shovelhead guy that had tons of experience and lived about 20 minutes from me.
Did it in 3 nights. First night all apart. Second night heads 'n rocker boxes back together. Third night all the rest of it back on and first ride.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 833
Likes: 221
From: Bridgeport, CT
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, California
I am not completely new to working on vehicles. I wrench on cars and trucks as a hobby, but, just never messed with bikes much until now.
I've changed forks out on Honda sportbikes; changed fork seals, oil, and non-inside the motor stuff like that.
The deepest I dug into a motor is my Triumph T-120R, where I had to re-seat the kick-start components and the get the tranny gears re-aligned.
What all is involved in changing out the gaskets?
Do I need any special tools to re-install the Pushrods or any other internal parts?
I've changed forks out on Honda sportbikes; changed fork seals, oil, and non-inside the motor stuff like that.
The deepest I dug into a motor is my Triumph T-120R, where I had to re-seat the kick-start components and the get the tranny gears re-aligned.
What all is involved in changing out the gaskets?
Do I need any special tools to re-install the Pushrods or any other internal parts?
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, California
I just did a thorough read through on several installation procedures - I'm ordering the rocker cover gaskets ASAP!
Can someone tell me if these ebay gaskets will suffice or if there are better gaskets I should buy, which will give longer life: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Rocke...fb83f0&vxp=mtr
Can someone tell me if these ebay gaskets will suffice or if there are better gaskets I should buy, which will give longer life: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Rocke...fb83f0&vxp=mtr