Top end Gaskets?

[45grum]

Well I am stumped, after a good listening to the clonking it seems to be coming from the front exhaust rocker, now I am not sure if there is anything up there that would cause this, is it possible a faulty hydraulic tappet may cause a noise at the top end or could it be a worn rocker shaft? the primary and compensator seem OK.
Anyway I am going to pull the top end and was after some recommendations for gaskets and what to look out for when I am in there.
It's a good job I quite enjoy working on the bike as I spend more time doing that than riding it

[kib]

What bike is it...or rather what model?

Well I am stumped, after a good listening to the clonking it seems to be coming from the front exhaust rocker, now I am not sure if there is anything up there that would cause this, is it possible a faulty hydraulic tappet may cause a noise at the top end or could it be a worn rocker shaft? the primary and compensator seem OK.
Anyway I am going to pull the top end and was after some recommendations for gaskets and what to look out for when I am in there.
It's a good job I quite enjoy working on the bike as I spend more time doing that than riding it
[/quote]

[blodwen]

Can highly recommend Cometic Gaskets. Not a bit of oil now leeks from my shovel engine joints (pushrod covers are a different matter). Have a look here, but probably best to download the catalogue first.
https://www.kitechperformance.com/store.php?crn=291

[kiwidave]

The James FIRE RING head gaskets (not the bog standard James ones) are also excellent.

I think you are dealing with a Shovel here? Owing to the geometry (angle of the pushrod etc) , the front exhaust always shouts first. Probably rocker arm needs shimming....

http://www.celticthunder.net/RockerBoxBuild.htm

NOTE: like he says in that link, if you are sold the Ramjett rocker-box kit with shims in a packet and it has black wavy washers.....ones that look like some toddler has bent them...DO NOT USE THEM. They will break up in your engine. They are a confirmed danger to Shovelhead engines.

[45grum]

Cheers Guys, I will get some gaskets and rip the top end off.
Wish me luck.
Oh and Kib it is a shovel by the way.

[andypandy]

if you have a clonking noise coming from your top end this could be caused by a worn tappet roller???...if its worn or broken...it will make the push rod loose it may even cause the cylinder to not fire properly!

[blodwen]

Just a final note, use a "Dog bone" adaptor on a torque wrench, you will be amazed the difference this makes to the ammount of extra torque you get, compared to using just a spanner.
Snap-On do them (expensive but just buy the ones you need) Look here:-http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=2219&group_ID=268

Keep the adaptor at 90 deg (a right angle) to the torque wrench and you keep the same torque setting value as per the manual (I've got the instructions somwhere for angles other than 90 deg and will post them as soon as I find them)