Changing Rocker Covers FXST
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
Changing Rocker Covers FXST
Question guys..
I bought the chrome rocker covers to put on my 07' FXST. I am getting the tank painted right now and since it is off it of course is a good time to tackle the rocker covers. Top and bottom. My question.. How hard of a job is this? or since I am still dealing with warranty should I let the moco do it? I figure it's a 3 hour job or so but that could just be me. If I do it... what's my worse case scenerio? that I didn't torque the bolts enough and I end up leaking? or is there anything else I need to watch out for. I have not looked at the procedure in my service manual yet but I did see on the web where someone did one with pictures where he actually changed his Road King to a pan head rocker cover like the duo glides (cool idea by the way. wish I had thought of that before myself) and in his procedure he mentioned positioning the rockers to the lowest point (or TDC is what were really after here I understand). What's the purpose of that? Does it just make getting the rocker assembly out easier? also... do you need to change the top pushrod orings if your just doing the rocker covers? or is that under the head yet?
Thanks.
I bought the chrome rocker covers to put on my 07' FXST. I am getting the tank painted right now and since it is off it of course is a good time to tackle the rocker covers. Top and bottom. My question.. How hard of a job is this? or since I am still dealing with warranty should I let the moco do it? I figure it's a 3 hour job or so but that could just be me. If I do it... what's my worse case scenerio? that I didn't torque the bolts enough and I end up leaking? or is there anything else I need to watch out for. I have not looked at the procedure in my service manual yet but I did see on the web where someone did one with pictures where he actually changed his Road King to a pan head rocker cover like the duo glides (cool idea by the way. wish I had thought of that before myself) and in his procedure he mentioned positioning the rockers to the lowest point (or TDC is what were really after here I understand). What's the purpose of that? Does it just make getting the rocker assembly out easier? also... do you need to change the top pushrod orings if your just doing the rocker covers? or is that under the head yet?
Thanks.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Changing Rocker Covers FXST
I can't vouch for a twin cam, but I just did it on an Evo motor, and it wasn't too bad as long as you take your time and follow the torque specs in the service manual. You'll also want to replace all the gaskets to be on the safe side.
On an Evo, the top pushrod cover o-ring did not need to be replaced since it fits into the head, so I would assume the twin cam is the same.
On an Evo, the top pushrod cover o-ring did not need to be replaced since it fits into the head, so I would assume the twin cam is the same.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: So. Cal
RE: Changing Rocker Covers FXST
First advice is you need a service manual.You'll have to remove the rocker assembly and you need to rotate the engine to the proper position to do this without taking a chance of bending them.You don't need to worry about the pushrod tubes.They stay in place.If you pull the pushrods out make sure you note the location, they are different for intake and exhaust.With that said if you have any mechanical ability it's a pretty easy job.I would also recommend new gaskets.I'd just buy a top end kit.After reading your post more closely I see you have a manual.It's spelled out in there pretty good.Just go for it.It's fun. Good Luck
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 611
Likes: 21
From:
RE: Changing Rocker Covers FXST
Gettwo torque wrenches 25-250 inch/lbs clicker and 0-50 min. ft/lbs. I use a beam for this but clicker easerer.What you plan to do is no problem just follow the manual. After removing top rocker covers you can see the rockers.Rebuild the oil seperator while in there.Suggest you center lower rocker cover b4 finnal torque by rapping valves with carboard. Also might consider replacing tall bosses on rocker boxes with 2 3/4 inch bolts if not stock. See my post " Hippo build with pics" under engine section on this forum. Have pics start to where I am now on a 95 inch build with SE heads and S&S 570 gear cam. Show much in pics of what I have said. Mine is an 04 Standard but much the same as yours.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 10
From: Orange VA
RE: Changing Rocker Covers FXST
Ok I agree with the torque wrench - definitely need one of those. But the rest sounds like a whole lot of work for an 07. Twin Cam rocker covers are not load bearing like Evos are. That means you should be able to pop off the old and slap on the new. You should not have to deal with timing, pushrods, etc.
I am attaching a couple scanned pages out of the 2006 manual. I think most/all of the enginechanges from 06-07 were internal (except for the AC badge of course) so these should be pretty close if not dead on what you need. If you get a manual, don't be surprised to not find a specific page that covers rocker covers. The removal info is found at the beginning of the Top End Repair section as a sub-task under Breather removal. Assembly is the same - look for Breather.
Page 3-3: Torque values (Rocker bolts are about half way down.
Page 3-27: Removal of the covers
Page 3-43: Reassembly of the rocker covers with bolt order.
Page 3-44: Graphic of gasket placement and bolt order and placement.
Hope this helps.
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/4CAA8BE596D94043BD5603650A34935B.jpg[/IMG]
I am attaching a couple scanned pages out of the 2006 manual. I think most/all of the enginechanges from 06-07 were internal (except for the AC badge of course) so these should be pretty close if not dead on what you need. If you get a manual, don't be surprised to not find a specific page that covers rocker covers. The removal info is found at the beginning of the Top End Repair section as a sub-task under Breather removal. Assembly is the same - look for Breather.
Page 3-3: Torque values (Rocker bolts are about half way down.
Page 3-27: Removal of the covers
Page 3-43: Reassembly of the rocker covers with bolt order.
Page 3-44: Graphic of gasket placement and bolt order and placement.
Hope this helps.
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/4CAA8BE596D94043BD5603650A34935B.jpg[/IMG]
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 10
From: Orange VA
RE: Changing Rocker Covers FXST
File sizes are too big for one post.
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/EDC4DD60786F4F948034F3FCCD9A6A02.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/601DC70A5A53441D8E79A41FA46C20A5.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/EDC4DD60786F4F948034F3FCCD9A6A02.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/601DC70A5A53441D8E79A41FA46C20A5.jpg[/IMG]
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 10
From: Orange VA
RE: Changing Rocker Covers FXST
.............And the last one. <EDIT> Whoops. Didn't see you said you had a service manual.
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/1DECAE4081FC4EA6B03E2395A19C83E0.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/1DECAE4081FC4EA6B03E2395A19C83E0.jpg[/IMG]
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 611
Likes: 21
From:
RE: Changing Rocker Covers FXST
Bensonjv, My manual is over at shop but b4 removing the 4 rocker box bolts and 2 seperator bolts you need to make sure that rocker arms are unloaded. IE Push rods not upon one end and open valve on the other. I have some one roll wheel for me till rockers are not under load and stick a soda straw or simmuliar plastic object in spark plug hole feeling when piston is on TDC. Will bolt back w/o checking again as long as wheel remains stationary. lionsqrne will try and take any specialty pic Monday 4u if you want as will be finnishing mine up then. I HOPE!
[IMG]local://upfiles/1355/C8AAE52032B4410FB7254AE231881BCE.jpg[/IMG]
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 10
From: Orange VA
RE: Changing Rocker Covers FXST
Pics sound good. Thanks. There's a 95 kit, or bigger, in the future for my Springer. I'm likely going to attack it DIY (within 5 minutes of my trusteed indy mech of course). This info and pics definitely helps.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
RE: Changing Rocker Covers FXST
Thanks guys. This is exactly why I see everyone ask here first. The information is always available. I did sit down last night and look the manual over and I don't think it's that big a job really. Yes, you do have to find TDC for each cylinder your working.
JLOCKHART29 any pics you want to post would be great.
JLOCKHART29 any pics you want to post would be great.