Which top end gasket kit?

[FJR1300David]

I'm going to replace a leaking rear rocker box cover gasket on my '07 XB12Ss. Do I use 17036-91A (Harley XL) or 17059-02B (Buell XB)?

I imagine both are the same with perhaps the Buell XB kit having higher quality gaskets?

Appreciate any feedback from the board.

 

[user_deleted]

neither dave. go with the below. more content and much better quality.
James Gaskets, Inc. part # JGI-17049-07-X

 

[FJR1300David]

Thanks for the info. I'll get what you suggested.

 

[FJR1300David]

I just looked at the James gasket kit. Does not appear to have the correct rocker cover gasket. I assume a 2007 takes the "black" upper gasket with the wider tabs as apposed to the thinner orange ring gasket?

 

[EricZ]

Use the factory Harley/Buell gasket kit. They are just fine and the only kit with the correct pushrod cover gaskets.

 

[FJR1300David]

Thanks...that's what I'll do. Meanwhile since only the upper gasket (cover) on the rear cylinder is the one leaking, should I bother replacing the front upper gasket? What about the gasket that goes between the head and rocker box? Looks good and dry right now.

 

[RidetheLightning]

I just looked at the James gasket kit. Does not appear to have the correct rocker cover gasket. I assume a 2007 takes the "black" upper gasket with the wider tabs as apposed to the thinner orange ring gasket?

Apologies for resurrecting an old post, but this is where the seeds of doubt were sown when I was looking up rocker gasket kits. I trust John, but was curious what this talk of the wrong pushrod cover gaskets is about. This thread also mentions an incorrect cover gasket, which I can't imagine is true...Also, does this come with intake seals or do I need to buy them separately?

 

[34nineteen]

Pushrod tube seals on Sportsters is just a couple of orings. On an XB, it is a squarish gasket on the bottom and orings on the top. The orings appear to be regular Sportster parts and fit a wide range of bikes. Make sure your gasket kit is Buell specific or you may not have these.

https://st-paul-harley-davidson-bue...tning-xb12s~yt_engine-/-gaskets-/-timer-cover


https://st-paul-harley-davidson-bue...er-box-gasket-l6d?_pos=1&_sid=49b274447&_ss=r


I have extra upper orings and a set of intake seals in case your kit comes up short. I do not have extra XB lower gaskets though.

 

[Cooter]

34:19, How did you get to be so helpful, generous, and successful?! Someday I hope I can steal your supermodel wife and be 1/2 as as you.

LOL

 

[outthere]

more luv 4 LF to C

 

[RidetheLightning]

Pushrod tube seals on Sportsters is just a couple of orings. On an XB, it is a squarish gasket on the bottom and orings on the top. The orings appear to be regular Sportster parts and fit a wide range of bikes. Make sure your gasket kit is Buell specific or you may not have these.

https://st-paul-harley-davidson-bue...tning-xb12s~yt_engine-/-gaskets-/-timer-cover


https://st-paul-harley-davidson-bue...er-box-gasket-l6d?_pos=1&_sid=49b274447&_ss=r


I have extra upper orings and a set of intake seals in case your kit comes up short. I do not have extra XB lower gaskets though.

Thanks, I'm not gonna worry about the lower gaskets, It's just the rocker box leaking, so not going to go too crazy. There don't seem to be a lot of common leaks down low anyways.

 

[34nineteen]

I would recommend doing them. No point in digging that deep to have a 10 year old gasket leak, especially since it’s an XB. If this was a sporty, I’d say to roll the dice.

My $0.02 would be to do the cylinder base gaskets as well.

 

[RidetheLightning]

I would recommend doing them. No point in digging that deep to have a 10 year old gasket leak, especially since it’s an XB. If this was a sporty, I’d say to roll the dice.

My $0.02 would be to do the cylinder base gaskets as well.

Can that be done with just the engine rotated? I've been going off of general instructions thus far, but will dig into the service manual here soon.

 

[34nineteen]

It should be. When I did my last rotate, it was about 3-4 years ago.

 

[mike lowary]

Do the base gaskets. You’ll hate yourself if you get it back together and it leaks. You are 95% there anyways. On a job like this id just pull the motor entirely. It’s much easier to work on out of the bike. And with an engine rotation you are again 95% there to pull the entire thing. Very easy to do. Good luck

 

[34nineteen]

You’ll hate yourself if you get it back together and it leaks.

This ^^^^

I've never pulled engine completely, but since "mike lowary" mentioned that, I do remember thinking that when I do a rotation. I also remember when I had the forks, wheels and tail off my SS to send out for powdercoating, that pulling the frame off the engine seemed like it was only about 10 minutes away.

When you pull the rocker boxes off, if everything sticks together, you could disturb the base gasket and cause a leak. Also, if you do this, I feel the best way is the leave the piston in the cylinder. Just raise the cylinder up on the piston so you can see the wrist pin. Pull the circlip and push out the pin. Be sure to buy a new circlip and not reuse the old one.

I recently had an small oil leak at a base gasket. Due to unforeseen issues, I basically had to pulled and replaced the top end a few times.

1. Pulled top end off rear cylinder - replaced base gasket. Noticed head bolt was really loose. Upon torquing, the stud pulled from the case. Full stop. Start over
2. Pulled top end off rear cylinder - bought $125 timesert kit, and another top end gasket kit. Upon replacement the other stud pulled from the case. Full stop. Start over
3. Pulled top end off rear cylinder again - bought another top end gasket kit. Since it was apart, I was able to slide a wrench to check the head stud on the front cylinder. Yep, it spun also. Reassembled rear cylinder. All is good here.
4. Pull top end off front cylinder - install timeserts in both cylinder stud positions and reinstall.

This was all to replace a small dribble. Luckily, this was on my Sportster and everything was right there fully exposed. I cant imagine having to go through this on a XB.

I now have more Cometic decals than any person should have. LOL. Dan at NRHS was very good to work with on this.

 

[mike lowary]

I’m glad Dan took care of you on that. And that’s exactly how I pull my cylinders. Piston never leaves the jug