rocker box gaskets - Harley Forum

milindh · #1 10-22-2008, 01:22 PM

IVe got a leaking (not weeping!) lower rocker box cover between thehead and box and I was going to just tear into it and replace it after checking for any obvious warpage and such. However, after doing a little forum searching, it seems the matter of which gaskets to use is a hot topic of debate.

So my questions are:

What are the best gaskets for this application?

Should I use a sealer/adhesive on box/cover side of the gasket?

Thanks,

Milindh

Wrightturn · #2 10-22-2008, 09:48 PM

Hey milindh,

I use stock Hd most of the time. I use Aviation 300 on the box side or nothing at all. Have the breathers in the rocker box been serviced? Causes more leaks than bad gaskets.

JCourneyaP · #3 10-22-2008, 10:41 PM

The stock gaskets work just fine. I have a set of "James Gaskets" on the front. Took the Stealer too long to get some in. "Dennis Kirk" had em to me the next day VIA mail delivery. I don't use a sealer of any kind.

Check the mating surfaces for problems and clean out the breathers before you assemble.

milindh · #4 10-23-2008, 10:36 PM

The breathers are clean. Maybe something temporarily blocked the front breather and then blew part of the gasket out the side (although I can't see any evidence of this). We'll see what's up when I get the box off in the next few days.

milindh · #5 01-23-2009, 03:16 AM

An update here. I ordered a set of Cometic gaskets from Dennis Kirk. I have SE heads so I ordered the set for those heads. Or so I thought. Turns out their catalog was off and the set they sent was for a Twin Cam with SE heads. The lower box Cometic gasket was stamped steel. Much better than the paper OEM gasket that had failed but it didn't fit. So I went to Mcguire's HD in Walnut Creek and got the appropriate gasket which was a standard but upgraded EVO late model gasket. The HD lower gasket was even better than the Cometic. It was steel like the Cometic but it was rubber coated on both sides with nice little raised ridges following the outline. So, in this case anyway, the HD part was the best of the bunch. Of course they cost double. Still I like that the factory folks are actually trying to improve on things like this. I didn't use any sealer although I think I'll go back in and re-torque the bolts after 1000 miles or so.