| Author | Message | ||
     X3rs |
this involves the front top engine hanger. the 'Y' 3 bolt hanger the bolt to the left of the bike is leaking oil? I thought this hole was a dead end bolt hole only? I have checked the gaskets in the area, but sure looks to be coming from this bolt hole. Can you help? | ||
| 89rs1200 |
They do dead end into the head. It is very difficult to see the seals at the rocker box covers as this area is behind the hanger. Suspect the oil is dripping down from one of the three rocker box cover gaskets. | ||
| Victory |
They started puking at 4k - Thanks Willlie! If its 40k may as well look at a top end refresh. | ||
| X3rs |
Crap Time to take off the gas tank and explore | ||
| Hootowl |
The stock paper gaskets are a joke and have been superseded by metal ones. If yours are still paper, I suggest you replace them on both heads. | ||
| X3rs |
Well, can't see where it is leaking from, but know it is leaking above the engine hanger, so it has to be the rock plate. My question is - do I need to move the front cyl piston to a point where there is less, or no, tension on the rockers? Or can I just be careful when pulling and putting back on the rocker plate (after replacing the gasket) and leave the motor position where it has fallen, with the rockers possibility engaged? | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Piston needs to be at TDC. Pull spark plug, while in third gear, slowly rock forward till you can see the piston is up and the rocker arms are up and even with each other. Could likely do it otherwise, but no one would recommend that! When installing, follow the manual instructions and screw down each of the larger bolts one revolution at a time, to lower the rocker box down and compress the lifters. You are not taking the head off right? just the rocker box, space, and cover. If that is the case, job is easy, other than getting to the bolts to properly torque them down. (Message edited by 89rs1200 on April 27, 2021) | ||
| X3rs |
just taking off the rocker box to replace the gasket, which may be my leak | ||
| _buelligan_ |
Correcting what Hootowl said, the paper gaskets do not supersede to rubber ones. Two completely different part numbers. The paper ones are still available and if you tell your dealer you want rocker cover gaskets for your Buell or solid mount Sportster engines they will give you the paper ones. You have to ask for the seals used on 2009 and up Sportsters to get the metal washers with rubber seals on them (part number 6589), they will work and I also highly recommend them as an upgrade over the paper ones any time I have a customer come in and getting into their rocker boxes on older than 2009 models but there is nothing that tells your local HD parts guy that they are backwards compatible unless they are just Buell/Sportster Fans. | ||
| Victory |
And this is why you need to never buy another HD product again. That is UNFORGIVABLE. Customer fuggkery! (Message edited by victory on April 29, 2021) | ||
| X3rs |
Well, I did not say 2009 or newer. I believe we talked about new vs old, but not sure. What I did order was 3 necessary gaskets and 2 were on back order. Now, I am not sure what I will get. | ||
| Hootowl |
Correcting what _buelligan_ said, Hootowl never said the paper gaskets were superseded by rubber ones. | ||
| _buelligan_ |
Sorry, Hootowl. Just didn’t want people to assume they’re going to automatically get the better gaskets. Correcting what I said about what Hootowl said, the new gaskets he was referring to are metal but they are metal washers with rubber centers to better seal than the paper ones but you still have to ask for them instead of the paper ones as they do not supersede in the computer to the newer style ones found on 2009 and newer Sportsters and Buells. If the salesman sold you 63858-49, those are the paper ones which are still being sold and is what the parts book still says your bike uses. | ||
| _buelligan_ |
 | ||
| Victory |
 Its only a 20 year problem.  | ||
| Hootowl |
_buelligan_ I was referring to the larger gaskets that are the source of most rockerbox leaks. Whether they supersede in the computer, I don’t know - you’re right in that I misspoke. Point is, get the metal ones.  | ||
| _buelligan_ |
Gotcha, yeah the lower rocker box to cylinder head is a metal gasket with a rubber coating on it and the actual valve cover gaskets that are notorious for leaking especially on the XB were a softer rubber and now are a harder rubberish plastic. Those do supersede in the parts catalog. If you do upgrade the washer gaskets you should also get newer style bolts too as the original ones have the washer pressed onto them and no need to have doubled up washers. Works but kind of an eye sore. | ||
| X3rs |
quote: newer style bolts too as the original ones have the washer pressed onto them Wait a minute here. I put the XB valve covers on my X-3, so i do not have the extra plate. That is just for clarification. Now, I understand I have to check back with them for the washers and the gasket for the bottom of the rocker plate. They gave me the gasket for the top of the rocker plate (rubber / thin / grooved). But I need to up date the bolts also??? I did not talk to them about bolts, so Back to them on bolts also? | ||
| X3rs |
More info - My slip says: special order - 16800-848 gasket, rocker box 17358-848 gasket, lwer rckr cvr -to-to supplied - 17353-89c gasket, rocker cover | ||
| _buelligan_ |
Those are the valve cover gaskets, doesn’t look like they even sold you the rocker cover bolt gaskets. You should only update those bolts if you switch from the original paper washer gaskets to the newer style metal washers with built in rubber seals as pictured above. | ||
| Williamscottrobertson |
I get the james silicone beaded gaskets. Highly recommend. | ||
| X3rs |
I don't understand this statement - "If you do upgrade the washer gaskets you should also get newer style bolts too as the original ones have the washer pressed onto them and no need to have doubled up washers. Works but kind of an eye sore." | ||
| _buelligan_ |
The original setup on your bike has a bolt with a washer that does not come off and a paper gasket goes under that washer and seals against the rocker cover. If you upgrade the gaskets pictured above you should also get newer style rocker cover bolts as the new metal gaskets with rubber seals are the washers. Hence not doubling up the washers. | ||
| X3rs |
thanks for everybodys help. All gaskets in and assembly to start. I hope that is wear the leak was coming from. | ||
| X3rs |
Oh, Have to ask another question. I have the new rocker plate bottom gasket. It is flat on one side and has a small hump on the other. I am getting conflicting info on which side is up. So, which side is up? And, does it go on dry or with some copper coat spray or not. | ||
| Victory |
Run the hump or red stuff UP. Its not gasket sealer! It is there to help the part spread the torque and protect the gasket from tearing/ helps with final alignment of the parts too. If you want you can coat the gasket with a light sealer like Brake disk quiet. https://www.crcindustries.com/products/disc-brake- quiet-9-wt-oz-05017.html We used to do this with Panhead Head Gaskets for insurance but its not required. | ||
| _buelligan_ |
I was always told raised or hump side up to act as a damn or wall, if the raised side was down it would create a bowl for oil to pool and weep. The new Milwaukee 8 ones specifically say "up" on them so the raised humps are facing up. | ||
| Victory |
" I was always told raised or hump side up to act as a damn or wall, if the raised side was down it would create a bowl for oil to pool and weep. " Complete bullshit. So many of dont have a clue what that shit is and most of us think its gasket sealer. | ||
| _buelligan_ |
Somebody’s a negative Nancy | ||
| Victory |
LOL.....I know I know I didnt want to say anything. Last time I did about this stuff I was called a dumb ass for speaking facts. This thread pisses me off because a month ago I started to put my X1 up on the table to start the top end rebuild when I suffered a major injury that cost me about $1000. I should be done now! No lasting ill effects and Im about 100 percent now. But the top end job time frame is going to really screw with me this summer. The X1 is still on the ground and I havent really gotten started. So pissed after a winter of planning stuff. Cant be too careful in the garage. You never never know!   I hope to report some good news about another X1 saved and back on the road soon! (Message edited by victory on May 05, 2021) |
