HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => Milwaukee-Eight => Topic started by: 86fxwg on May 30, 2022, 11:21:43 AM

Title: Head gasket issues?
Post by: 86fxwg on May 30, 2022, 11:21:43 AM
Buddy has a 17 street glide w/107 stock. Blew rear head gasket 15000 miles,said supposedly this is an issue. Anyone had issues with stock bikes & head gasket issues?
86
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: rigidthumper on May 30, 2022, 02:06:06 PM
There have been some issues with headbolts breaking on their second use, which would result in a leaking head gasket. Supposed to be replaced every time if stock, or you can get reusable aftermarket bolts.
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: JSD on May 30, 2022, 10:04:11 PM

Quote from: rigidthumper on May 30, 2022, 02:06:06 PMThere have been some issues with headbolts breaking on their second use, which would result in a leaking head gasket. Supposed to be replaced every time if stock, or you can get reusable aftermarket bolts.
:agree:
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: 86fxwg on June 01, 2022, 04:06:17 AM
Guess the day wasn't a waste! Good to know!
Thank gent's!

86
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: Oclaf on June 01, 2022, 05:29:05 AM
Quote from: 86fxwg on May 30, 2022, 11:21:43 AMBuddy has a 17 street glide w/107 stock. Blew rear head gasket 15000 miles,said supposedly this is an issue. Anyone had issues with stock bikes & head gasket issues?
86

First I have read/heard, if its on the interwebs, its true, so yeah, an issue...LOL
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: Hossamania on June 01, 2022, 12:11:10 PM
Excessive failure of head gaskets on the 107 has not seemed to be an issue on this site as far as I can tell. That tells me it is generally not an issue.
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: Dan89flstc on June 03, 2022, 06:48:14 PM
Quote from: rigidthumper on May 30, 2022, 02:06:06 PMThere have been some issues with headbolts breaking on their second use, which would result in a leaking head gasket. Supposed to be replaced every time if stock, or you can get reusable aftermarket bolts.

The 2019 Factory Service Manual does not call for new cylinder head bolts.
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: Ohio HD on June 03, 2022, 06:59:54 PM
Quote from: Dan89flstc on June 03, 2022, 06:48:14 PMThe 2019 Factory Service Manual does not call for new cylinder head bolts.

The 2020 Manual does. Same head bolt.



(https://i.imgur.com/dPciTMc.png)
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: Ohio HD on June 03, 2022, 07:12:22 PM
The SE head bolts are advertised as reusable.



(https://i.imgur.com/D8tnSCU.png)


(https://i.imgur.com/D8LgOTC.png)
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: jamminhd2000 on June 04, 2022, 06:25:25 AM
Quote from: 86fxwg on May 30, 2022, 11:21:43 AMBuddy has a 17 street glide w/107 stock. Blew rear head gasket 15000 miles,said supposedly this is an issue. Anyone had issues with stock bikes & head gasket issues?
86

Seen this problem quite a few times in my shop...usually 2017 with the same amount of miles...jimmy
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: Hossamania on June 04, 2022, 07:55:12 AM
Quote from: jamminhd2000 on June 04, 2022, 06:25:25 AM
Quote from: 86fxwg on May 30, 2022, 11:21:43 AMBuddy has a 17 street glide w/107 stock. Blew rear head gasket 15000 miles,said supposedly this is an issue. Anyone had issues with stock bikes & head gasket issues?
86

Seen this problem quite a few times in my shop...usually 2017 with the same amount of miles...jimmy

That is interesting, first time I've heard of this being an issue, being so specific to one type of failure, and I'm kind of a nerd when it comes to following HDs. Thanks for that info.
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: kd on June 04, 2022, 08:10:48 AM
There was some discussion here (in the last year I believe) that includsed a link to a video with / about the reusable head bolts at a Harley dealer that does engine builds.
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: To The Max on June 06, 2022, 05:31:18 PM
Pulled a couple of heads of a early 107 and the machining was less than ideal, in the early days there was a few thing said about it on this site. I think get the head surface machined
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: ziggy24 on June 30, 2022, 05:26:08 AM
Quote from: kd on June 04, 2022, 08:10:48 AMThere was some discussion here (in the last year I believe) that includsed a link to a video with / about the reusable head bolts at a Harley dealer that does engine builds.

this? 
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: Sunny Jim on June 30, 2022, 07:13:55 AM
Quote from: To The Max on June 06, 2022, 05:31:18 PMPulled a couple of heads of a early 107 and the machining was less than ideal, in the early days there was a few thing said about it on this site. I think get the head surface machined

And retension the studs in the crankcase before assembling!!!!! They come loose.
Title: Re: Head gasket issues?
Post by: kd on June 30, 2022, 05:54:51 PM
Quote from: ziggy24 on June 30, 2022, 05:26:08 AM
Quote from: kd on June 04, 2022, 08:10:48 AMThere was some discussion here (in the last year I believe) that includsed a link to a video with / about the reusable head bolts at a Harley dealer that does engine builds.

this? 


The lesson in that video is to take your time and check your work.  I mean what's the rush anyway?  Knowing how the fasteners can pull down unevenly, I have always used smaller steps and double checked (like in the video) all of the way to final torque.  It became obvious to me what happens and how to mitigate uneven stud effect.   And BTW, you don't need a fancy digital torque wrench to do it.  Just a good accurate one.