07 Sportster XL1200 Crack in Head

[Smak937]

Forgive me if I do this incorrectly, new to forum style postings. My husband has 2007 Sportster XL50 1200 Anniversary Edition. Had about 7k miles on it at the time we noticed the later mentioned issue. When changing his oil he noticed a little had dripped below the rear cylinder onto the rocker box. There wasn't a lot at all. Wiped up and went riding and no more that day.


When he didn't see it the next day he continued on his trip with his buddies to Ride the Dragon in the Smokies. While there they stopped at a carwash, and my husband ran to the restroom. When he came back his buddy had washed his bike for him. When they took off he noticed oil coming out heavy enough that it was getting all over his saddlebags and rear of the bike. Being that we live in Ohio and they were headed home he had no choice but to ride and just add oil if it became low.

Once he got home & parked he noticed a crack in the rear head directly beside where the exhaust goes into it. The initial thought was the jug but after further inspection appears the crack is on a smooth section between the fins and where the exhaust bolts in. The crack runs vertically. Now it is leaking to the point it leaves an oil spot when left sitting overnight.
Tried to get a good photo but it's in a tough spot.


The issue is we can't find heads anywhere for this model. We're finding a load of 883 heads, or older 1200's but even eBay has failed us.
So far best we've been able to find is anywhere from 1200-2400 and that's a little out of our reach right now.
does anyone know of any interchangeable heads that would work?

Again apologize not the most knowledgeable on bikes & just trying to help the husband out. In the meantime, I am going to try and get a good photo of the area

Thanks

[Smak937]

He believes this is the crack

[rocketmangb]

You can buy a set of Screaming Eagle heads for about 800.00

[Screw Loose Dan]

Having a hard time seeing much in the pictures (too small). Mine as well start the tear down so he'll know exactly what needs to be replaced/repaired.

Used heads do show up on occasion on eBay, but sometimes they are nearly the cost of new. You can buy a new rear head for ~$315 (each) from the online discount places. PN 16666-07. That's a bare head with just valve guides and seats installed.

New Castle - $308.31 +shipping
Surdyke HD - $311.87 free shipping

There's countless others, those are typically the two places I use.

[rocketmangb]

Or here

http://www.boardtrackerharleyonline....tster-16500074

[Hexlobular]

Originally Posted by Smak937

...When he came back his buddy had washed his bike for him. When they took off he noticed oil coming out heavy enough that it was getting all over his saddlebags and rear of the bike...

Having mentioned this, are you thinking that a hot engine being hit with cold water contributed to the crack becoming larger? I ask because, not being a metallurgist, I wonder if this could have made a bad condition worse.

Perhaps someone more experienced can chime in and learn us up.

Sorry to hear about your situation; many of us know the frustrations and expense of unexpected bike issues. I hope you hang in there and can get it back on the road quickly!

[RRider]

That seems to be a kinda strange place for a crack the valve covers are common leakers and push rod tubes.
Castings can often have marks that look like cracks but are not but.
You guys probably know all this.
Good luck.

[Toejam503]

Looks like a casting mark to me. Probably valve cover gasket.

[iNSaNeSHaNe]

Tell him to clean it extremely well with brake cleaner to remove all trace oil.
Then spray ladies deodorant on the area ( I like arid extra dri, it has a lot of talcum in it, and will show instantly where the oil is coming from )
After spraying it down start the engine for just a brief time, you don't want oil coming out, just the trace of oil will show if you do this correctly.

Most likely it is the cover gasket. the pic looks like a casting flaw and I don't remember any oil passages near there.

Good luck

[Toejam503]

^ What he said^ And let us know the results.