Need to replace pan gasket

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RI61Duoglide
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Need to replace pan gasket

#1

Post by RI61Duoglide »

Pretty sure that I know the answer, but is there any way I can change the gasket with th enging in the frame, or is it impossibe and I need to remove the heads?
Mark44
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Re: Need to replace pan gasket

#2

Post by Mark44 »

In "Mechanics and Owners Guide, 1941 - 1959 Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins," by Kirk Perry, he describes a way to do this. The short version is that after you get the pan loose, and remove the old pan gasket, you make a bevel cut in the new pan gasket, and work it around between the head and the pan, gluing it when the entire gasket is in place. The procedure as described in the book, starting on p. 119, is quite a bit longer than my short version here.
kfelt
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Re: Need to replace pan gasket

#3

Post by kfelt »

I could see how this could be done in theory but how do you get all the old stuck on gasket and sealer off? Seems it would be a nightmare to clean and make sure the pan cover is flat and not get old gasket material falling in places you don't want it. Then the cut that is made in the new gasket is just another place it could leak. Hard enough getting them not to leak when everything is clean and straight on your work bench!
Mark44
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Re: Need to replace pan gasket

#4

Post by Mark44 »

kfelt wrote:I could see how this could be done in theory but how do you get all the old stuck on gasket and sealer off?
The author said he used acetone.
kfelt wrote: Seems it would be a nightmare to clean and make sure the pan cover is flat and not get old gasket material falling in places you don't want it. Then the cut that is made in the new gasket is just another place it could leak. Hard enough getting them not to leak when everything is clean and straight on your work bench!
I agree completely.
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Re: Need to replace pan gasket

#5

Post by Lowbikemike »

Some folks have used the Accurate Engineering rubber/neoprene gaskets that can be stretched over the pan covers with the heads on the bike.
RI61Duoglide
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Re: Need to replace pan gasket

#6

Post by RI61Duoglide »

I'm thinking now that it would be more efficient for me just to pull their heads and give them a good cleaning, inspection and then put a pair of James baskets ' gaskets on her and call it a day.
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Re: Need to replace pan gasket

#7

Post by Bigincher »

RI61Duoglide wrote:I'm thinking now that it would be more efficient for me just to pull their heads and give them a good cleaning, inspection and then put a pair of James baskets ' gaskets on her and call it a day.
That makes the most sense to me, too. It'll give you a chance to de-carbon the piston tops and the combustion chambers.
I like the blue James head gaskets, but regular cork pan gaskets and pushrod tube seals. I was taught at a young age by an old grey-beard that thin cork gaskets are used with thick cast aluminum d-rings, while the thick gaskets are for early thin laminated steel d-rings. The reasoning is that if you use thick gaskets with thick d-rings, there's too much 'give' and easier to crack the d-rings. Might be a myth, but that's what I always thought. Makes sense to me.
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