Ironhead 1974 XLH Rebuild

[Ferrous Head]

Normally on almost all gaskets I do not use adhesives at all , prefering to use good quality gaskets , installed dry , on clean , flat , true surfaces and always use a torque wrench.

It's a bit slow and tedious but lapping in head and base gaskets eliminates just one more weak point on an engine. Two flat mated surfaces don't need any gaskets. Gaskets are there simply to allow for the imperfections left in the machining process.

[Gearhead88]

Originally Posted by Ferrous Head

It's a bit slow and tedious but lapping in head and base gaskets eliminates just one more weak point on an engine. Two flat mated surfaces don't need any gaskets. Gaskets are there simply to allow for the imperfections left in the machining process.

I bought an XR 1000 brand new I had it apart a couple of times , once to install the newly available screamin eagle high compression pistons and a second time to freshen it up , rebuild the crank and add a windage tray . XR's don't use head gaskets or rocker box gaskets , the base gasket is a dainty delicate piece ....... like a cigarette paper cep't if you licked it , it would tear .

[Ferrous Head]

and add a windage tray

Never played with an XR1000. (Wouldn't run a place in Historic racing).

Did they have a "mini sump" like the ones developed for the XR750 ?

[Gearhead88]

Originally Posted by Ferrous Head

Never played with an XR1000. (Wouldn't run a place in Historic racing).

Did they have a "mini sump" like the ones developed for the XR750 ?

The sump on an XR 1000 is the same as all XL's from 77 & up .

Zippers sells a windage tray kit , they are easy to make so that's what I've done on a number of occasions .

The 78 crankcase on the bench in the background of this pic kinda shows the general shape of the 77 & up sump.

[Ferrous Head]

)K. Shows my ignorance. I've never played with anything later than 74. For a good part of my life I had no interest in bikes I couldn't race successfully.

So, do these engines have a pickup point at the bottom of the sump just like the XR750'S ? Must have I guess. An internal passage ? Never noticed any oil lines down there.

[brucstoudt]

Originally Posted by Gearhead88

That Gaskacinch is for the head gaskets , I am using the supplied Cometic copper gaskets .
I work on lots of Shovelheads , often I use S&S copper head gaskets on those , S&S recommends using Gaskacinch on copper head gaskets .
Normally on almost all gaskets I do not use adhesives at all , prefering to use good quality gaskets , installed dry , on clean , flat , true surfaces and always use a torque wrench.

thanks for sharing that.i've been using the copper gasket sealer with the copper particles in it for my copper head gaskets after the ex drag racer that ported and relocated the head bolt spacing in my XLR heads recommended it.forum member mrmom9r.

[Gearhead88]

Originally Posted by Ferrous Head

)K. Shows my ignorance. I've never played with anything later than 74. For a good part of my life I had no interest in bikes I couldn't race successfully.

So, do these engines have a pickup point at the bottom of the sump just like the XR750'S ? Must have I guess. An internal passage ? Never noticed any oil lines down there.

Yes there is a port that pulls oil out of there , 77 & up also had a pump upgrade , this is when the Gerotor pump appeared on Sportsters