HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => Pan Head => Topic started by: Reddog74usa on June 17, 2022, 11:00:22 AM

Title: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Reddog74usa on June 17, 2022, 11:00:22 AM
Getting ready to install the cylinders on my 62 FLH and found a metal and paper set of cylinder base gaskets in the kit. Any recommendations on which set to use?

Also I have the MLS gaskets for the heads however the instructions for tourque on them is for evo's n TC's. Do I just follow those instructions or tighten them down like you normally do on Pans n Shovels???

Anybody have any experience with cometic on a Pan?
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Ohio HD on June 17, 2022, 11:06:25 AM
I think @76shuvlinoff has used them on his Shovel. He may be able to answer about the torque, etc.
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Reddog74usa on June 17, 2022, 11:18:23 AM
Thanks Ohio, I just sent him a PM asking about it. All the mating surfaces are very nice and the oil feed holes line up perfect with the metal base gaskets so they shouldn't be a problem. Knoiwing the correct tq would be real nice.
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Reddog74usa on June 17, 2022, 11:27:31 AM
Well as Red Fox would say, "Hey Dummy" Pan and Shovel info is at the very bottom of the instructions page which says to use factory tq specs on Shovels and Pans. I guess it's now only a question of which base gasket to use, paper or metal???
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Ohio HD on June 17, 2022, 11:29:52 AM
I'd be tempted to stay with the paper on a Pan / Shovel. They don't often leak there, and the case seam isn't always the best on the older bikes.

Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: RTMike on June 18, 2022, 07:50:24 AM
I have been using the Foamette base gaskets that James makes they are superior to the others.
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: CraigArizona85248 on June 21, 2022, 03:59:44 PM
I've always used the paper base gaskets.  Maybe one day I'll try something else, but I have a bunch of the paper gaskets hanging on the wall in the garage.  I'll probably use those up first.  Base gasket leaks are really rare in my experience.

For head gaskets, I've always used the James blue Teflon.  Again, there are probably other good options, but I tend to find something that works and stick with it until there is a reason to change it up.

-Craig
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: JSD on June 22, 2022, 09:03:59 PM
final torque 60 FTB on pan & Shovels, MLS
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Reddog74usa on June 24, 2022, 07:44:32 AM
Thanks for the responses. I decided to go with the metal base gaskets and will report back with my findings after I get some miles on it. It will be a while as I'm still waiting on my heads to come back.
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: JSD on October 05, 2022, 07:47:28 PM

Quote from: Reddog74usa on June 24, 2022, 07:44:32 AMThanks for the responses. I decided to go with the metal base gaskets and will report back with my findings after I get some miles on it. It will be a while as I'm still waiting on my heads to come back.
Any updates 
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Reddog74usa on October 07, 2022, 07:42:15 AM
Well I paid for that little experiment   :angry:  the metal base gaskets are a leakin real good dispite very meticulous prep. Will be removing the top end today. The head gaskets did work fine but I don't know about reusing them and do not feel like doing this again. Whats the safe bet on head gaskets???
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Fugawee on October 07, 2022, 09:11:27 AM
Just My opinion...but if that is a relatively fresh rebuild with minimum miles or running hours on those Gaskets, I wouldn't have a problem re-using the Head Gaskets.
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Reddog74usa on October 07, 2022, 11:24:33 AM
Less than 50 miles on it.
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Fugawee on October 07, 2022, 02:00:32 PM
Less than 50 miles, I'd re-use them.
Unless You would sleep better by replacing them.  Either way...Good Luck with It.
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: JSD on October 07, 2022, 03:57:21 PM

Quote from: Reddog74usa on October 07, 2022, 07:42:15 AMWell I paid for that little experiment  :angry:  the metal base gaskets are a leakin real good dispite very meticulous prep. Will be removing the top end today. The head gaskets did work fine but I don't know about reusing them and do not feel like doing this again. Whats the safe bet on head gaskets???
Thanks for update. 
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: SP33DY on October 08, 2022, 09:21:29 AM
About fifteen years ago I used the metal/silicone bead base gaskets twice. One Shovel, one early Panhead. Both leaked and I had to go back to conventional gaskets. Tops of the cases were mated well and flat so I didn't know why the metal gaskets didnt work.

Blue teflon head gaskets have been my choice on Knucks, Pans and Shovels for a long time now with no problems.
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: nmainehunter on October 08, 2022, 04:09:08 PM
I use the Cometic gaskets on my 63FL. You have to be aware of the tab on the head gaskets cause it hides under the intake spigot lip and will keep from sealing if your clamp doesn't go under it.
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Reddog74usa on October 09, 2022, 07:18:17 AM
I'm aware of the tab on the head gaskets. They weren't the issue, it was the metal base gaskets that leaked. Replaced everything with James and went with the blue head gaskets.
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: CraigArizona85248 on October 09, 2022, 10:28:37 AM
I'll just throw in my $.03 (inflation adjusted) on reuse... I wouldn't do it. I'll bet that most times it would never be a problem. But I'd rather spend the $20 and know I won't have to do it again.

-Craig
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Reddog74usa on October 11, 2022, 03:51:44 PM
Picked up a James top end kit and no more leaks  :chop:
Title: Re: Cometic gaskets on a Panhead
Post by: Hossamania on October 11, 2022, 03:55:00 PM
Ta-da!