55 Pan valve covers

[hibuck1]

Its true 55 pan had only 6 holes valve covers stainless steel to match the 6 hole D-Rings I asked everybody but nobudy could say for sure here is proof the Holy Grail for a 55 pan restro !!

[1955fle]

I believe that is true. I will need to check Palmers book to be sure. I know many covers were drilled to 12 holes once the 12 hole d-rings were introduced. But without looking it up, I am not sure when the change over happened.

Its true 55 pan had only 6 holes valve covers stainless steel to match the 6 hole D-Rings I asked everybody but nobudy could say for sure here is proof the Holy Grail for a 55 pan restro !!

[Robert Luland]

I thought they were alumium. Thats why you have the thick D rings? Bob

[FelthamW]

Early 55's did have only six bolts per head. Later on they realized they made a mistake and started shipping them with 12 bolts. The FLH's came out mid year. I haven't actually ever seen a '55 FLH that DIDN'T have 12 bolts per head. And I have seen a lot. I have a late FLH with a late motor number. Frame code says frame built in April. Head casting numbers are late too.
Anyways, at Denton there was a original paint '55 FLH that was 1000 +/- serial numbers less than mine and it had 12 bolts. The couple that now own it bought it from the original owner who had it since new. They called him and asked him about it and he said that the heads were never taken off.
Sitting side by side - getting judged............hard to argue with that. The judges conceded.
Just another one of those things that Bruce will correct, I am sure in the next printing.
Wayne

[hibuck1]

no they are definitely stainless, magnet wont stick as far as 12 holes I have read that the dealers have drilled 12 holes because of oil leaks

[john HD]

stainless or aluminum?

you decide.

i'm going with aluminum.

john

ps, i have seen more with 6 than 12!

[Robert Luland]

The ones in the photo sure look like aluminum to me right down to the dents. Bob L

[jlaley]

A magnet wouldn't stick to alum. either. They look like aluminum to me.

[hibuck1]

yes after I posted the magnet wouldn't stick to steel I wasn't thinking that magnets don't stick to Aluminum either DA ! but they are stainless Palmers says 48 chrome plated steel, 49-56 polished stainless, 57-65 polished aluminum ,but who knows the ones I have are stainless

[hibuck1]

Palmers page 183-184

[Robert Luland]

Palmers page 183-184

Just tap your finger on them. There ALUMINUM!

[john HD]

i have a very nice chromed steel 6 hole cover in my collection.

unfortunately i only have one!

go figure!

john

[hibuck1]

lets a pic john

[FelthamW]

Mine are aluminum. And original. That original paint '55 FLH I saw at Denton were aluminum covers too.

There is supposed to be a Shop Dope write up about fixing the early leaking '55's but I haven't ever actually seen it. Take the heads off and drill and tap six new holes per head.

I suspect that there are more FL's that have 6 bolts. The FLH intoduced mid year and I have seen more late year bikes with 12 bolts.

I have seen swap meet special FL heads that have been modified and you can tell as the machine work is not as crisp as the factories. Every FLH head I have seen looks like factory work. I have a spare FLH front head (once upon a time I dropped a valve seat) and it looks like factory 12 hole.

[hibuck1]

well after really taking a good look at the valve covers i think u all are right they are aluninum my mistake thanks all