Head gasket replacement help

Energy One
J

Jersey Bro

Member
I have a 124 S&S motor.
The rear head gasket needs to be replaced.

Any heads up, will be appreciated.
Such as what gaskets to replace, and any do's or don'ts.
Best place to purchase gaskets.
I will be taking it apart today.

Thanks,
Jersey Bro.
 
Moespeeds

Moespeeds

Well-Known Member
Get a clean table with a towel on it and lay out your parts in the order you took them out. Clean all bolts that have dried loctite on them, good trick is to just hit it with a blowtorch for a sec or 2 and then it comes off clean with a wire brush. Replace the rocker box gaskets while you're at it. If they leak later it's a PIA to get them off. Also be a good time to check the condoms over the compression releases. I'm assuming you're doing rings/valve guides/seals/hone the cylinders etc as well? You should.
 
SKOGDOG

SKOGDOG

One of the old ones.
I'm in the middle of doing the same to the front head gasket on my K9. Are you going to replace both or just the defective one? I am doing one cylinder this time, and will defer the guides, rings, etc. for some more miles, then will do both cylinders and extras next time..
Get your service manual, then read the 'how to' posts from this forum.
Not a bad idea to replace the gasket under the jug as long as you're there....but you need a ring compressor to re-assemble. If it seeps, you're really back to square one.
Re-read Moespeeds comments valuing organization
Get both an inch pound and foot pound torque wrenches
Stole my wife's fingernail buffer (like an Emory board but foam in the center) to polish the cooling fins while everything was relatively accessible. A soft Rag with Mothers billet worked pretty good.
Read the manual and 'how to' on re-installing your hydraulic lifters (bleed down time, etc.) note pushrod positions when disassembling.
Hope it goes well for you.
 
Moespeeds

Moespeeds

Well-Known Member
Yeah I forgot about the base gaskets, def do them too, and the rings. You should do both jugs, it won't take much more time to do. If you blew a head gasket, chances are it's time to do everything anyway. I've yet to see a head gasket job where the valve guides didn't need replacing as well. How many miles you got?
 
john sachs

john sachs

Well-Known Member
If you run into a bind, I stock special Cometic top end kits, C10041-JS, that includes all gaskets and seals for a top end overhaul(base gaskets & up) on a 4.125" bore S&S Super Sidewinder engine. :D
Contact me for info.
John
 
K

kevin05bdmcpr

Member
I've only had my '05 Chopper only 1 month and yesterday I was in too big of a hurry to meet up with my crew and I didn't warm her up and jump on it. She developed a slight leak front head next to oil port but really didn't blow the head gasket. Not like I've had and heard over the years. Anyway doing just what you did here and replacing head gasket in base gaskets on only. Yes I will change necessary o rings on push rods, rocker box etc. But I'm not worried about rings and valve guides. Many many miles to go.I've had a 113 and many Harley-Davidsons and a wrench for years. If I have a question I'll get back
 
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