Replacing Rocker Box Gaskets on a 00' Sportster?
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From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
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Dude I think you need to read it again. Or better yet go to your dealer and ask the parts guy to look it up you for you 
It's the one piece gasket that goes on top of the head and the rocker box assy bolts down on top of it. Page 3-19 item 10 & 11 (thats what the metal gasket will replace) from the 2001 Offical Factory Manual.
The rubber gaskets don't leak. It's the paper gasket that the HD installed between the head and rocker box assy. Cause if you replace it with another paper one she'll leak again. That's why HD came out with the metal one.
I've had the rocker box assy off 3 different times and used the same old metal gasket again and still no leaks. Try that with the paper one and see what happens.
It's the one piece gasket that goes on top of the head and the rocker box assy bolts down on top of it. Page 3-19 item 10 & 11 (thats what the metal gasket will replace) from the 2001 Offical Factory Manual.
The rubber gaskets don't leak. It's the paper gasket that the HD installed between the head and rocker box assy. Cause if you replace it with another paper one she'll leak again. That's why HD came out with the metal one.
I've had the rocker box assy off 3 different times and used the same old metal gasket again and still no leaks. Try that with the paper one and see what happens.
Last edited by RacingJake; Jul 16, 2009 at 10:43 PM.
Road Captain
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From:
The latest head-to-lower-rocker gasket out now is metal with a rubber coating......A few years back when I did my 1250 conversion i got a black metal gasket which was standard new gasket, and last month I got a chrome engine kit, and it now came with the same metal gasket but now coated with a orange rubbery material.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
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The latest head-to-lower-rocker gasket out now is metal with a rubber coating......A few years back when I did my 1250 conversion i got a black metal gasket which was standard new gasket, and last month I got a chrome engine kit, and it now came with the same metal gasket but now coated with a orange rubbery material.
Got about 600 miles since last month and still no leaks even at 7K. I think I paid around 8 bucks apiece back then. Looks like I got my monies worth.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13
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From: Central NJ
You need a service manual and if you aren't mechanically inclined don't do it, the valve cover on the rear cylinder is a real stinker to get on and off, you have to turn just right to get it out and back in, I have done it many times and I cuss it everytime I have to do it.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13
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From: Central NJ
I pulled the rocker box covers and the spacers off today, but didnt realize it was as late in the afternoon as it was and had to leave it to finish tomorrow. Is taking the head assembly off difficult bc the gasket that failed was infact the one between the top of the rocker box and the head? or does it all just unbolt and go back on the same way? Doesn't seem like rocket science but dont want to hit any issues either. Thanks again guys!
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Central NJ
Im not sure I am properly describing where this is coming from so I should prob take a picture and post it and point out where it is leaking oil from to clarify...ill try and do so.