Ok all,

I am once again in need of your assistance.

As I was riding today, my head gaskets started weeping, and some oil seepage is coming out... smoke is forming at stops.

What is the best way to change the gaskets on my '79 XLCH?

Anything special I need to do, in order not to screw anything up?

 

Get some good James or Cometics for a brand. Set for the box top too since it's coming off.

Torque wrench with the special offset set so you can get to those front 'n rear head bolts.

 

Which type of torque wrenches are the special ones?

I need all the hand holding on this I can get, as I am still a fresh one when it comes to wrenching on HD's

So far I have changed the kickstand, Rocker oil lines and gaskets, Heli-Coiled generator, re-routed some hoses, adjusted the horn so it doesn't rub on the motor, changed filter on intake.. but this gasket fix will be the first biggie for me.

Is changing the gasket a relatively easy job, as long as a person is somewhat mechanically inclined?

 

About 3 weeks ago I had bike in my sig pic apart...doing my rocker box gaskets and head gaskets.

Battery lead off so no power
Pipes off
Tank off (drain tank first)
Carb off
Intake manifold off
Rock box oil lines out
Rocker box loosened
Pushrods out (here's some fun for ya the first time)
Rocker box off
Head off

Basically reverse order to go back on.
Pushrods are the most difficult part.

Check out pictures in page 2 of this thread...you'll see the extensions I mean. You cannot get to all the head bolts with a regular socket or box wrench, need a short one that extends from the 1/2" drive to get to those rear 'n front ones.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/shove...-question.html

This'll be a good thread with lots of input. I'm still new at it, did mine with the excellent help of a Shovelhead guy that had tons of experience and lived about 20 minutes from me.

Did it in 3 nights. First night all apart. Second night heads 'n rocker boxes back together. Third night all the rest of it back on and first ride.

 

So do I need to pull the motor to change the gaskets out?

 

You need to find a good mechanic.

 

Yeah. Head gaskets are not a small job if you're a novice to this stuff.

 

I am not completely new to working on vehicles. I wrench on cars and trucks as a hobby, but, just never messed with bikes much until now.

I've changed forks out on Honda sportbikes; changed fork seals, oil, and non-inside the motor stuff like that.

The deepest I dug into a motor is my Triumph T-120R, where I had to re-seat the kick-start components and the get the tranny gears re-aligned.

What all is involved in changing out the gaskets?

Do I need any special tools to re-install the Pushrods or any other internal parts?

 

My apologies everyone!

The title should have been Rocker cover gasket leaking.

Rocker cover gasket should be a lot easier than a head gasket, right?

 

I just did a thorough read through on several installation procedures - I'm ordering the rocker cover gaskets ASAP!

Can someone tell me if these ebay gaskets will suffice or if there are better gaskets I should buy, which will give longer life: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Rocke...fb83f0&vxp=mtr