Rocker Cover Gaskets. A must?

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Oct 17, 2015 | 01:36 PM

Swany6mm

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 113

Likes: 4

From: Here

Rocker Cover Gaskets. A must?

Hey all. I'm about to do the rock-out bushing on my '16 Limited. It has just under 2000 miles on it. From images I've seen, looks like the rocker covers use o-ring type gaskets. With this few miles on it, is it a MUST replace, a SHOULD replace, or a DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT deal?

Not that I'm trying to "save" money. I just hate waste. If they are considered good still, I want to use what's there. If they are toast after first use, I'll run to my parts guy and buy a set.

Thanks!

Oct 17, 2015 | 02:15 PM

Seventy4blazer

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2015

Posts: 1,149

Likes: 137

From: Surprise, AZ

I have never pulled the rocker covers before, but what I always do on the rubber o-ring style gaskets is keep a set on hand when I do a job that involves them. If I need them, I have them. It not, either keep them, or return them. better safe than sorry in my eyes.

Oct 17, 2015 | 02:17 PM

db252

Road Captain

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 547

Likes: 2

It's just a crap shot. Plenty of us have reused gaskets without leakage. Your not going to damage anything but torque correctly at the specified sequence is your best bet. If it doesn't leak, great; if it does you've only created twice the work which really isn't a lot in the case of upper rocker covers. I've used new gaskets that have leaked with all proper sequences followed. Give it a try. Now if it was a head gasket I'd say replace every time.

Oct 17, 2015 | 02:30 PM

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 11,476

Likes: 3,003

From: Charleston, SC

They are not the oring type and sometimes you can reuse them without issue.

But just in case yours are not in good shape:
PN: 17386-99A 5.99 each. You'll need 2.

Oct 17, 2015 | 03:27 PM

Swany6mm

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 113

Likes: 4

From: Here

Thanks everyone. Another question, I haven't picked up a service manual yet (not out yet for the '16's?). Does anyone know if the '15 Service manual works? I'm going on a limb and guessing there really isn't any difference in the two (three, if you count 14) model years?

Oct 17, 2015 | 03:32 PM

Tired

Grand HDF Member

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 3,599

Likes: 5,175

From: SWMO

As was said above, not an o-ring. Orange RTV that was cured on the cover flange. You'll understand when you see it. If it's in good shape I have wiped it off with alcohol, skimmed a thin coat of orange RTV on it, reinstalled and not had any leaks. That being said, I do have a set of -99A's on the shelf for the next time.

Oct 17, 2015 | 03:47 PM

DTTJGlide

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 2,561

Likes: 280

From: North Cental Iowa

I hate waste also, but I'd rather waste a few $ than the time to fix a leak. They're enough of a pain to do once, I'm not going to do it twice for a few $!

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Oct 17, 2015 | 03:47 PM

ROCKOUT Rocker Products

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From: SF Bay area

I have done both... re-used & bought new... never had a leak. There is not that **** storm of oil flying around in there that one might think... more like a dribble kicked around by the rocker arms.

It also depends on whether the gasket sticks to one side or both.... it's a metal gasket so a dent or a bend means it's history.

Please keep us all posted with your results!

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