S&S Engine Head Gasket Oil Leaks?
- Thread starter HOG
- Start date
john sachs
Well-Known Member
Are you sure it's the head gasket ?
Try this: remove the timing hole plug. Wrap a rag around an air gun so it doesn't leak any air, and put the end of it in the timing hole. Blow air, and look for your oil leak.
Don't use over 60 psi pressure.
John
Try this: remove the timing hole plug. Wrap a rag around an air gun so it doesn't leak any air, and put the end of it in the timing hole. Blow air, and look for your oil leak.
Don't use over 60 psi pressure.
John
Neat trick....
ground pounder
Active Member
John do you agree that the S&S torque numbers are a little light to compress the head gaskets and allow for expansion. And this is why a lot of the s&s motors start leaking oil prematurely.
john sachs
Well-Known Member
Sorry for the late response.
Yes, I use different torque specs for S&S motors than what S&S uses. I also use mls head gaskets.
10 ft. lbs. twice - then 20 ft. lbs. - then 90 degrees. You have to be careful as S&S cases will pull studs if you get too aggressive with head torque.
The BIGGEST thing to remember is: let the engine REACH OPERATING TEMPERATURE before hammering it. Usually 7 or 8 miles.
John
SMCT
Active Member
The MLS Cometics have specific instruction inside. 42 ft. pds. of torque.
I torqued mine in the following fashion with a 3/8ths torque wrench: 17, 28, 42.
I do it this way, so I have a running start from my 28 to 42 without a false reading from what we would consider "break away". I used moly in the head bolt threads, on both sides of the washer and on the exterior of the bolts shank. Not an issue as it torqued right up and has been solid and leak free ever since.
I torqued mine in the following fashion with a 3/8ths torque wrench: 17, 28, 42.
I do it this way, so I have a running start from my 28 to 42 without a false reading from what we would consider "break away". I used moly in the head bolt threads, on both sides of the washer and on the exterior of the bolts shank. Not an issue as it torqued right up and has been solid and leak free ever since.
ground pounder
Active Member
Hi John, thanks for the response. I have a friend who is a great bike mechanic and runs a bike shop. He too uses a different torque sequence and more psi than s&s does and doesn't have neer the problems with s&s oil leaks on the head gaskets etc. I also wait a little while between torque sequences so the gasket can compress!
Looks good! How she run like that? LolYeah my front was leaking a little and bubbling, ended up with this!
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john sachs
Well-Known Member
Some do, I don't, cause I've seen studs pull out of S&S cases with over 40 ft. lbs.
NEVER had an issue on untold S&S engine rebuilds with 10 - 20 - and 90 degrees.
John
NEVER had an issue on untold S&S engine rebuilds with 10 - 20 - and 90 degrees.
John