Upper rockerboxs not lined up

[autotec]

Alright, looking through this section, it seems I ask way too many questions. I have about 200 miles on the bike since I put my base gaskets on, and I noticed today that the upper rockerboxes shifted. Both center pieces shifted by over 3/32" to the right. They are not leaking, but I'm concerned that it might cause a problem in the future. Should I be concerned, or am I just being anal?

[Crocodile56]

It will start leaking....EVO rocker box covers are like that, shitty design, the bottom rocker box don't move....it can't, but the center and top can float on ya. I always put a little black RVT on the gaskets when assembly goes together and then I let it set over night and have never had a leak or have the covers move!

[gruss]

when i had mine down, i dont recall that the bolt holes in the rocker boxes, and the bolts themselves would allow that much movement side to side.
Are these factory heads ?
Factory rocker boxes ?
If so, i'm shocked that the MOCO would allow such "loose" tolerances on the fitment.....

[autotec]

when i had mine down, i dont recall that the bolt holes in the rocker boxes, and the bolts themselves would allow that much movement side to side.
Are these factory heads ?
Factory rocker boxes ?
If so, i'm shocked that the MOCO would allow such "loose" tolerances on the fitment.....

S&S heads, not sure about the rocker boxes. I guess this is pretty common. From all the info I gathered, the thicker the gasket, the more likely they are going to squirm around. Once they finally settle in, they should be good. I'm going to ride it until they leak, if they leak. It's just a pain to get to the rear rockerbox due to the frame. (Santee, I think that's how you spell it)

[gruss]

S&S heads, not sure about the rocker boxes. I guess this is pretty common. From all the info I gathered, the thicker the gasket, the more likely they are going to squirm around. Once they finally settle in, they should be good. I'm going to ride it until they leak, if they leak. It's just a pain to get to the rear rockerbox due to the frame. (Santee, I think that's how you spell it)

must be those S&S heads allowing the extra room to get around any factory milling issues....you may luck out and get no leaks....wish you the best, i guess just treat it right and enjoy it for now....g

[Crocodile56]

I'm going to pull a Dave!!!

Dave does the best tech postings so in his fashion I'm going to do the same thing for this thread to explain why the EVO Rocker Box covers leak!

It is a poor design, if you look at the pictures you will see the poor design, the bottom rocker assembly holds the rockers themselves in place and are of good design.....if you tighten the rocker box down evenly!
If you tighten one bolt at a time the cover will crack, cost....a lot!

Second piece of the 3 piece assembly has no bolt holes in it, it floats, if you do not have it sitting perfect when tightening the assembly, it will move and you will have a leak and a misaligned cover!


The top cover bolts to the bottom rocker assembly, it passes through the center cover and mounts to the bottom piece making a sandwich!

Now we all know what happens to a sandwich if you hold it wrong or put to much presure on it.....the stuff in the middle comes out the side, same thing with this assembly!

Proper way (my way) to assembly this is simply, after installing the rocker box itself, put a little black RVT on the gasket, both sides, place gasket on rocker box, let sit for 30 minutes and tack up, place center cover on and push lightly, just sit it, put thin layer of RVT on gasket of the top cover and gently place on center piece....put bolts in finger tight and wait 30 minutes!Make sure all 3 pieces are aligned!!! After 30 minutes have passed tighten the bolts down equally, a half turn on each until torque is met! Wipe excess RVT off and let the engine set over night!

Your good to go! I've been doing this for years and have had only one bike ever leak! Just my 2 funking cents>>>>>>>>>>>>

If any words are misspelled, its Franks fault!!!

[autotec]

Good post. I'm thinking mine shifted due alot of things. Cheap rockerboxes, taller gaskets, too much beer, (not that this is ever a big problem) ect.... So far so good though. I'm starting to buy parts for a stroker engine for next year, so as long as I can make it through this summer, I'll be happy.

I did compare the James gaskets that I bought to some actual Harley gaskets, and the James were much taller. I'm thinking that along with the sealing surfaces that were rounded caused the middle box to shift. Over the winter I'll be picking a set of the 2 piece S&S rocker boxes up. I figure 1 less piece to seal = less leaks.

[MOTOCROSSER]

[QUOTE=Crocodile56;26143]Dave does the best tech postings so in his fashion I'm going to do the same thing for this thread to explain why the EVO Rocker Box covers leak!

It is a poor design, if you look at the pictures you will see the poor design, the bottom rocker assembly holds the rockers themselves in place and are of good design.....if you tighten the rocker box down evenly!
If you tighten one bolt at a time the cover will crack, cost....a lot! CROC, when i re installed the head on my motocross bike the method was to tighten the head bolts in a certain sequence and at a certain foot poundage till you reached the required specs and foot pounds for final install!makes sense to me!! never had a leak what so ever from this method!!!n it was water cooled ,so even more important to get it right the first time!!!!

[gruss]

Dave does the best tech postings so in his fashion I'm going to do the same thing for this thread to explain why the EVO Rocker Box covers leak!

It is a poor design, if you look at the pictures you will see the poor design, the bottom rocker assembly holds the rockers themselves in place and are of good design.....if you tighten the rocker box down evenly!
If you tighten one bolt at a time the cover will crack, cost....a lot!

Second piece of the 3 piece assembly has no bolt holes in it, it floats, if you do not have it sitting perfect when tightening the assembly, it will move and you will have a leak and a misaligned cover!


The top cover bolts to the bottom rocker assembly, it passes through the center cover and mounts to the bottom piece making a sandwich!

Now we all know what happens to a sandwich if you hold it wrong or put to much presure on it.....the stuff in the middle comes out the side, same thing with this assembly!

Proper way (my way) to assembly this is simply, after installing the rocker box itself, put a little black RVT on the gasket, both sides, place gasket on rocker box, let sit for 30 minutes and tack up, place center cover on and push lightly, just sit it, put thin layer of RVT on gasket of the top cover and gently place on center piece....put bolts in finger tight and wait 30 minutes!Make sure all 3 pieces are aligned!!! After 30 minutes have passed tighten the bolts down equally, a half turn on each until torque is met! Wipe excess RVT off and let the engine set over night!

Your good to go! I've been doing this for years and have had only one bike ever leak! Just my 2 funking cents>>>>>>>>>>>>

If any words are misspelled, its Franks fault!!!

Great post Croc !!! but you forgot this---:knee this is used when your the king, and you are....

[Crocodile56]

No Gruss, Dave is and you know it! KING DAVID of the HERD!!! See it even sounds good!!!!