I know I just felt it needed to be mentioned.

 

Here are a few tips on your project.
Most important, before you get started make sure that your new Rocker Boxes and covers are flat. If you can, check them with a straight edge. During the polishing process they will sometimes overheat the part and combined with the pressure against the wheel they sometimes get distorted.

Special tools needed:
1/4” torque wrench with shallow 7/16” and 1/2” sockets. You will need the 7/16” shallow for the back cylinder left rear bolt and the 1/2” socket for the Rocker support.

Take care when loosening all the parts from the head. Loosen them in the opposite sequence as tightening and start by loosening them at about 1/4 turn. The left cylinder, rear bolt (on the box to the head) can be loosened from the right side of the bike with a 7/16 box wrench (because of the lack of clearance from the frame)

Everything else should be pretty straight forward from there.


I’m not 100% sure on the TDC thing. One would think that you do not move the motor, you should be able to put everything back the way. Anyone have any thoughts on this,, it’s been a while for me.

Have fun!

 

I admire you sense of adventure jousley...

 

Trying to change upper & lower rocker boxes. Got my manual. Shows how to remove top box. Then goes to removing lifter covers. Then describes removing lower rocker. I know about TDC. Question is : I know the manual doesn't illustrate "how to change rocker boxes" per say but more about how to take the engine apart in order. But to just change the upper and lower rocker boxes do I need to mess w the lifter covers at all? Thanks. Oh yeah I have an 07 streetbob

 

No need to mess with the lifter blocker covers or the push rod covers.

 

No, but, it is extremely important that you have the lifters on the base circle of the cam. In other words, when you remove the top rocker box, put the bike in 6th gear, remove the spark plugs and turn the motor by turning the rear wheel untill you see both pushrods on the cylinder your working on go to thier (both) lowest point. Then remove breather assembly, rocker assembly and then lower rocker box (support). Reinstall everything, wait 30 minutes (so that the lifter you just worked on bleed back down) And go to the next cylinder and do the same. Work on and complete one cylinder at a time. And again, let the lifters on the first cylinder leak down or you have a good chance of bending a valve. Wait after the second cylinder also before you start the bike to, let it too bleed down.......Rich

 

You don't have to change out the lifter blocks, but if you have the polished aluminum ones it's a whole lot easier to change them to chrome when you have the rocker arms off. You can get a set for pretty cheap.

 

Can you explain what bleeding down means? I want to understand what is going on. Thanks

J.

 

Yes J sure, let's see how easily I can explain this. A lifter is a hydraulic device that takes out the valve lash in the valve train. When you remove the rocker assemblies you'll be taking the pressure off the lifter therefore expanding the lifter. When you reinstall the rocker assembly you will be inserting pressure back onto the lifters (via the pushrods) It takes time for the lifter to bleed down (compress). If you were to turn the motor over before the lifter compressed, you would be opening the valve further then normal therefore the valve has a chance of hitting the top of the piston therefore bending a valve. Make sense???

 

puttnutt is right on.Take your time.