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My new to me 73 Shovelhead is leaking oil from the front rocker box.
My question is, can I just pull the rocker box off and replace the gasket since I have so much room with the frame its in? And, whats the procedure in doing that?
Just bought a James Gasket for it.
That much clearance yes you can pull it in frame, next toss the James **** and a find a Cometic MLS gasket. Even the James metal ones will leak on you sooner than later, quality hasn’t been there for years.
That much clearance yes you can pull it in frame, next toss the James **** and a find a Cometic MLS gasket. Even the James metal ones will leak on you sooner than later, quality hasnt been there for years.
If the leak you are talking about is the one shown on the left side of your photo then the seal under that cap screw needs to be changed. I used O-rings on mine and problem solved!
It is blowing out of the rocker box gasket pretty good! Rode it for two blocks and it was dripping oil on the pipe and creating lots of smoke. (Made me smile) This is the James gasket I picked up. So this gasket is not so good?
Since you already have the James kit I would use it. I cant say I have had any issues with James gaskets however I only use them maybe once a year. I would also say the rubbers on the rocker shaft plugs not leaking will soon be leaking. Simple enough to pull BOTH rocker boxes replace the shaft seals and box to head gaskets. Your top end kit may include the pushrod tube o rings and I would replace those as well just to be sure the oil is behind all new gaskets and seals.
It is blowing out of the rocker box gasket pretty good! Rode it for two blocks and it was dripping oil on the pipe and creating lots of smoke. (Made me smile) This is the James gasket I picked up. So this gasket is not so good?
Those are straight up trash, be leaking again in couple years tops, you want the metal/silicon/wafer style gaskets for a one and done.
Are you sure the gasket is leaking? The oil will run down from the rocker spindle end cap leaking. Have you washed it off well and run it to see? Just trying to save you some labour!
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Front Rocker Box Leaking.
