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10th January 2020
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Biker
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 5 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 1983
Reputation: 10
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Head gaskets
Are the hi compression head gaskets any good?I'm taking the heads off to clean them up and just wondering if I should use stock gaskets or try the 0.020
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10th January 2020
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Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 283 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH1000 Sportster/Buell Year: 1977 Sportster/Buell Model #2: 2004 XLH1200Custom Other Motorcycle Model: 2007 FXDB Other Motorcycle Year: 2004
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High compression thin (0.016) copper head gaskets will bump up the compression ratio about 1/2 a point. For the later emission engines that came with lower compression pistons. Works on all Ironheads. Nice thing about copper head gaskets is they are reusable after you anneal them. I'm running 0.016 copper gaskets in my 77 with 9.0:1 pistons.
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10th January 2020
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Biker
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 5 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 1983
Reputation: 10
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Are they more prone to blowing out?
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10th January 2020
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Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cornelius, OR
Posts: 9,556
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ethal iron
Are they more prone to blowing out?
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What? Are you putting nitro in it? 
Not a very common failure. I've never had one leak.
Clean stuff properly and check for straight. 
And I prefer the copper because it transfers heat very well.
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Ryder Rick "I know right from wrong, but sometimes, wrong feels right"
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10th January 2020
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Blind Owl
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sunshine Coast
Posts: 6,365 Sportster/Buell Model: XLB, XLCH, Sporton Sportster/Buell Year: 1962 Sportster/Buell Model #2: XLCH Sportster/Buell Year #2: 1966 Other Motorcycle Model: XLCH (Another one) Other Motorcycle Year: 1966
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Any of them will blow out if they aren't torqued down correctly of the faces aren't flat.
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"I know only too well the evil that I propose. But my inclinations get the better of me."
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10th January 2020
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Biker
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 5 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 1983
Reputation: 10
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Thanks, I'm ordering them today
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10th January 2020
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Chief Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 464 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH Sportster/Buell Year: 1969 Other Motorcycle Model: 111 Ironhorse Outlaw Other Motorcycle Year: 2004
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While the heads are off if you are concerned with compression you could cc the combustion chamber to verify they are identical. Then you could have head gasket surface refinished to ensure no warp. If jugs are pulled you could also have that surface cleaned up. I've also seated the head in place on cylinder without a gasket and used a feeler gauge to see how much space there was for gasket.
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10th January 2020
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Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pottstown PA.
Posts: 14,411 Sportster/Buell Model: xlch Sportster/Buell Year: 1960
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RicThompson
I've also seated the head in place on cylinder without a gasket and used a feeler gauge to see how much space there was for gasket.
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this is very good practice.no surprises after you start the motor up.even better if there is no gap between the cylinder and head.
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72 1000cc barrels and heads, s&s 41/2'' flywheels, sifton cams, s&s super B w/ zippers thunderjet w/yost powertube, andrews gears,and shafts, competition engineering kevlar wet or dry clutch, 72 oil pump, morris magneto w/auto advance and single fire module, cycle electric generator w/electronic regulator,73 cu.in.
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10th January 2020
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Chief Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 464 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH Sportster/Buell Year: 1969 Other Motorcycle Model: 111 Ironhorse Outlaw Other Motorcycle Year: 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brucstoudt
this is very good practice.no surprises after you start the motor up.even better if there is no gap between the cylinder and head.
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Ideally when the head is properly torqued to spec you should get the required crush on the gasket before fire ring on cylinder contacts the head. Fire ring should fit in head snugly but not bottom out before gasket has been sufficiently compressed to do its job. |
10th January 2020
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Biker
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 5 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 1983
Reputation: 10
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I'm taking it apart tomorrow. Gaskets are on the way. Thanks again
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