Yeah...Harley's are a conundrum of paradox's. For every bolt/stud, do you anti-seize or do you lock tite??

 

I read a good technical brief from loctite once. I'll see if I can find it.

Basically, you can actually use both at the same time on the same faster, but loctite acts as both an effective anti-sieze and thread lube while also preventing unintended loosening.

I can't seem to find the Henkel sales engineer presentation now, but most of the relevant info is contained within the following documents. A very good read for those of a technical mind.

http://na.henkel-adhesives.com/us/co...king_Guide.pdf
http://na.henkel-adhesives.com/us/co...ives_92215.pdf
http://www.designworldonline.com/eli...tener-failure/

 

My modus operandi used to be blue loctite on every fastener since I knew it prevented corrosion and couldn't hurt in fastener retention. Since then I've switched to loctite where necessary, otherwise I use anti-seize. Anti-seize goes on any cover fastener (cam, transmission, primary, rocker box uppers) with proper torque. It's the clamping force from proper torque that should hold the fastener, not the loctite. These aren't rigid mounted engines. Main reason I switched was chasing threads with loctite in them when I have something apart got real old real fast. If it's something that I think would really benefit from loctite then I'll use it, like if its a mechanical part with forces exerted on it.

 

I wouldn't use antiseize on anything that does not see over 250F. Maybe even 300F.. For one it reduces the required torque on the bolt increasing the probability of pulling threads.. Hope you aren't using HD Tq specs as they are typically for loctite patched bolts. A little bit of LT or even oil on the case screws goes a long way..

Using loctite on exhaust studs will sorta work for a while but after time it burns up and you loose the anti seize properties of the stuff.

LT works really well as an antiseize for stainless fasteners that go into stainless nuts. It's an acceptable replacement for anti seize.

 

Thanks Bruce. .or Max, or No One. .can't keep track. I read that somewhere but I haven't been the best on practicing. Just read some more on the topic via Google and I will be more careful moving forward.

 

I have always used anti-seize on every bolt that goes in aluminum...and never had a single problem.

Then I bought a Harley.

I quickly learned that some bolts on Harley's simply MUST have Loctite holding them in, or they will come out. Torque and bolt stretch alone just don't do it.

 

Do you torque the screws with a torque wrench? Or do you just make them snug? What is the screw size? and it's TQ?

 

Torque wrench, of course. By the book...always. I'm a mechanical engineer, so I am well versed in fasteners. The vibration is what makes the Harley unique.

 

Always good to have a good educational background.. Have you looked at the torque specs for case screws on HDs?

 

OP - if you a helicoil on a head, make sure you use red locktite 272. 272 is the high temp version. Red 262 is standard temp grade.