I've been a mechanic for many years. As a mechanic I'm learning every day. Today I had to remove the front cylinder head on my 2012 Electra glide ultra limited. The rocker boxes have these metal gaskets with silicone or neoprene on them. The rocker box cover has a similar gasket. The intake manifold has rubber o rings. My question is, are any of these gaskets reusable? I know the head gasket isn't. When I was racing cars we used valve cover gaskets that were neoprene with metal inside. You could take them on and off multiple times without issue. My common sense says replace everything on the jug but the o rings on the intake should be fine. Any suggestions? Thanks, Mike

 

I agree with your assessment, however, how much would it cost for a couple of new orings for the intake? It would be really bad to be ready to put everything back together and pinch an oring.

 

replace is smartest, to save you going back in...for the O rings are they deformed from previous tightening?

if smooth and supple, reuse.

Mike

 

Hi Bill,
The o rings are honestly the least of my worries. I'm more interested in finding out if the gaskets are reusable. Obviously the head gasket isn't. I haven't priced out the gaskets yet. Cost is a concern but doing the job right is priority. Thank you for responding.

 

I've reused both of those in a pinch without any problem, but there is always that one time...

If you have time and cash, get new ones.

 

Thanks IP, that's what I wanted to know. They can be reused but replacement is recommended. I'll price everything out tomorrow. I'm trying to get the bike back together by February 13th. I'm going in for back surgery that day. I'll be laid up for a few months. Won't be able to work on the bike and I don't want to leave it apart. Thanks for the help. Mike

 

you may want to consider stocking common gaskets at home.

i have a bunch, just in case...saves me from running to shop or online mid-job.

also allows me to head for the garage at 1am if i can;t sleep.


good luck with the back...i'm 5 years recovered from L3/L4 disk



one of my Pals went in for similar 2 months ago...had a stroke day after surgery...make sure your family has access to all your financials, power of attorney both medical and financial.
my Pal is going to be ok in time, but the injury wiped all his memory of passwords etc and ALL of his financial stuff is done online, no paper bills to the house even.

mike

 

I'm having L3, 4 and 5 fused. Had my neck done 8 years ago. C4, 5 and 6. Wife does all the financial stuff. I just want it over with. Been in pain for a year.

 

I generally replace everything on a teardown except I'll try to get away with primary, cam and tranny cover gaskets.. O rings are changed unless they are real fresh (less than a few K). Some TC tappet cover gaskets I'll let by if fresh but a lot of depends on how they come loose.

 

For all that work, spring for new gaskets. I even use new drain plug O-rings when I change the oil. Cheap peace of mind.
And get the best gaskets possible, like Cometic.