Is there a special tool for torqueing the headbolts on a 74 shovel? There sure is not a lot of room to work with and I don't trust a swivel on the end of a ratchet as it cant get on straight enough for my likeing.

randy

 

snap on makes a Dog bone attachment 3/8 on one end and 9/16 on the other and its around 4 inches long and its 12 point - they also come in all the smaller sizes if you need others we have the 7/16 1/2 9/16 and the 5/8 never needed any others till tomorrow hahahaha - johnjzjz

 

Yeah...a torque adapter to go on your torque wrench that allows you to come in at it offsite to get it.
See pics in this thread.
http://harleytechtalk.org/htt/index.php?topic=28309.0
And see picture at bottom of this thread...this is a tool a buddy of mine let me borrow when I yanked mine apart a few months ago.
http://www.harley-davidsonforums.com...find-tool.html

 

try to use a 6 pt. socket if you can. then if after a partial turn you may may have to use a new 16 pt . socket to turn the head bolt enough to get the 6 pt socket back on. don't hot-rod the bike after its done. warm it up several times & let the motor cool overnight. dog bone is a good idea, but I have done it with just a 6 pt & a 16 point shallow socket. my book calls for 55-75 ft. lbs for 1978-84 shovelhead.
also use new head bolts with blue threadlocker. & i'd shoot for 60-65 range because torque wrenches have a 4% range for accuracy.also use MEK methyl ethyl ketone for metal prep. its what machinist use to be sure the metal is absolutely clean.

 

I got this off amazon:


AFAIK no blue threadlocker is to be used, but antiseize instead

 

Used these and get the 5/8" also for the cylinder base nuts too , also just a dab of motor oil on the headbolt threads instead neversieze , several reasons behind this .

 

mmm... why motor oil instead of anti seize?

 

You just need a touch of lube on the thread so they don't gall when torquing , anitseize I've seen change the torque values and loosen up after a number of hot/cold cycles , besides the old OEM factory book says oil .

 

Ok I got the snapon tool and it works fine all but on one bolt per jug. The two innermost opposing bolts on the left side. The tool won't go on the head bolts as the wall thickness is too great and hits a fin once it is tightened up and it won't go over the bolt. I don't want to grind the tool thinner as it may break. Help

Randy

 

Won't break if you don't over do the grinding , had to do that on all mine and haven't broken one yet and been using them for a couple decades now .