S&S Rockerbox gasket questions.

[mittens]

SO the rear jug rocket box is leaking after longer, harder runs on the bike, it is not a big leak but its the only leak i have now, and the wind will blow/splatter a little back onto the oil tank and some on the top of the primary. gasket kits is 50 bucks. no biggy.

When I start reading how to do it, everything says I have to loosen push rods, before removing rocker arms? this I don't understand.

In a car, you can take the rocker arms all off on a head, do what you need to do, and then bolt them up slowly and evenly, allowing the springs that need to compress do so.

why will this not work on a evo motor? the push rods should still be sitting on the lifter fine, and as I re-bolt up the rocker arms, I can place the push-rod in the right location (sitting in the cup of the rocker arm its self)... so It seems it would all tighten back down, torque rocker box, and leak is fixed.. with out taking push rods, and push rod covers off, and re adjust rod length?


someone tell me what I am missing?

 

[awg]

Are you talking about just the top chrome part ?

 

[HMAN]

Well it might sound like a plan, and in fact you may get away with it. BUT with the price of an S&S don't it make sense to do it right? Just my 2 cents, and fwiw, its not that much more to adjust the push rods. Shit, throw out the original ones and put in some quickie push rods while your in there?

 

[mittens]

I understand what your saying.
But the question is WHY is that needed when on every other motor i have worked on does not require it? Its all about learning, not nessisarly being lazy. I like to know why certain things are needed.

I plan to do it the right way if needed, will be asking questions if i get stuck as well.

 

[gabe]

I know what you're saying mittens, b/c I just got done doing this on my truck and you don't have an option to adjust pushrod length while they are in there. I also did it on my big dog a couple years ago. One thing I know is the rocker arms don't look anything alike and I believe the S&S are mounted to a shaft, correct? vs a pedestal (on my GM 5.3) maybe b/c of the differences in the types of rocker arms that to get proper alignment while tightening they need to be unloaded? Or they want you to readjust for differences in gasket thickness? Or it's just good practice to check/readjust

I'm totally guessing here somebody way smarter than me will likely chime in any second and all of this can be ignored, but if you're close to 25k on your current lifters you ought to consider swapping them out while you're in there anyway.

 

[RRRUFF]

Adjusting the valves is not that hard. I wouldn't take the chance.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

If it's only a rocker box then you don't have to touch anything.... If it's the head gasket then you do...

 

[KaptinAmerika]

If it's only a rocker box then you don't have to touch anything.... If it's the head gasket then you do...

Your not missing anything. I do it here all the time.
Just put all the push rods in a neutral position, none are pushing on a rocker, and break the rocker box down.
You don't need to touch the push rods.

 

[mittens]

got ya, so just get that jug where both are on the base circle of the cam (IE spring not compressed), and take it apart, relace gasket, and then torque back down....

Awesome makes it alot easier. Will be in touch to order gaskets. only the rear needs one, guess I will save the other.

also any helpfull hints easist way to rotate motor to that point? pull plugs and bump starter till i get lucky like a slot machine? hahaha

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Just pull the plugs, drop the push rod covers, pu tin 6th gear and rotate the rear wheel

 

[mittens]

I called you to order the gasket kits today... Guessing your closed on Mondays.
this, and rear breaings if cheap... while the wheel is off for new tires. (did new front bearings a few month ago)

 

[vej]

Question: Bike just hit 59K... mine is now leaking too. Looking at the rocker box, trying to figure out how to get a torque wrench under/in... I know there's a tool/add-on you can use for your torque wrench, 1) does anyone use it? 2) if they do, where can I get one 3) if you don't, how do you set torque correctly?

I have a mastiff, so there isn't as much room between tank/frame and head like a K9 or chopper.

Thanks! (haven't been on the boards in forever it seems)

 

[mittens]

SO removed rocker covers, pulled plugs, 6th gear, spun till push rods where on base circle of cam.

did gasket swap, cleaned it up, Torqued it all back down (which was not easy with frame blocking some parts). took for a ride and no more leaking fromt he rocker box....


BUT my rear crankcase breather hose, that has the little air filter on it, dripped a few drop sof oil when I parked it? thats new. so now i am confused.