Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

Rocker shaft 0-ring question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 24, 2021 | 12:55 AM
  #1  
Alexander Pearce's Avatar
Alexander Pearce
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 115
Likes: 66
From: Tasmania
Default Rocker shaft 0-ring question

Hi, I have oil leaking from all of my rocker shafts in the covers.
Is it possible to change the 0-rings leaving the rocker covers in place?
If so any tips would be very much appreciated.
Thanks

 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2021 | 05:23 AM
  #2  
Cobra1's Avatar
Cobra1
Road Warrior
Veteran: Air Force
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 1,325
From: DeLand, Florida
Default

Yes they can be replaced. I believe I used quad seals instead of o-rings. I’m sure someone will chime in on which one is correct or better.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2021 | 05:59 AM
  #3  
Architect's Avatar
Architect
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 7,904
From: Long Island, New York
Default

Quad seals work very well. You may need another wrench holding the acorn not on the other side of the rocker box to remove the covers. It all depends on how long they have been on there. Some come right off, some are a struggle, good luck. Do not remove the rocker shaft, that will bring you much heart ache. Just remove the covers, clean everything up and install new quad seals.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2021 | 07:43 AM
  #4  
tld6008's Avatar
tld6008
Cruiser
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 222
Likes: 77
From: Gulf Breeze
Default

I bought the below item for $7 on Amazon, solved my leaks. Search for the seller Mr. O-Ring

116 Silicone O-Ring, 70A Durometer, Red, 3/4" ID, 15/16" OD, 3/32" Width (Pack of 100)



 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2021 | 08:09 AM
  #5  
johnjzjz's Avatar
johnjzjz
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
Default

In the shop we have relied on the nylon square seals to do the job and we do a coat of Yama bond 4 just because
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2021 | 08:15 AM
  #6  
Uncle Larry's Avatar
Uncle Larry
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,458
Likes: 57,015
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Default

Originally Posted by johnjzjz
In the shop we have relied on the nylon square seals to do the job and we do a coat of Yama bond 4 just because
Yep ... That's what I've used and quite successfully too
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2021 | 01:22 PM
  #7  
Alexander Pearce's Avatar
Alexander Pearce
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 115
Likes: 66
From: Tasmania
Default

Thanks for the replies, I am relieved that the heads and rocker covers can stay in place to do the job. Will get onto it today.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AJSHOVEL
Ironhead
1
Jul 9, 2013 11:29 AM
Mithion
Sportster Models
1
Feb 23, 2013 08:13 PM
fmc
General Harley Davidson Chat
3
Jul 13, 2011 02:41 PM
DGlide04
Exhaust System Topics
3
Dec 29, 2007 06:26 PM
THABULL
Touring Models
3
Aug 20, 2007 01:26 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:55 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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