(continued From Above)
JohnS_ Roasamond_CA is someone I also value with regards to his opinions on EVO's, he too is a well known contributer over at HTT so I feel his comments deserve review:
John was asked a question, I merely pasted the answer as the answer is clear all by itself:
12-15-2005 From: JohnS_Rosamond_CA
I have seen leaks with the paper gaskets (especially earlier Harley paper gaskets), and I've seen leaks with the metal gaskets as well. I have come to the conclusion that if you want to be leak free until the cylinders need to come off again, then you need some kind of gasket dressing. I prefer hylomar. I have had good luck in assembling base gaskets with this dressing, otherwise you're taking your chances on future leaks.
The hylomar that I use is put out by Permatex, and only comes in one flavour. The tube says "Hylomar HPF - high performance formula" item number 25249. On the base gaskets and rocker cover gaskets, I squeeze a little dab onto my index finger, then squeeze it between my thumb and index finger. Then I rub it on both sides of the gasket as I'm holding it. Easy to do with a metal gasket. The idea is that you don't goop it on like silicone. John S,
From: anotherhdrider
I buy the Hylomar at Auto Zone. It comes in a tube such as silicone. Like I stated in my blurb...a little goes a long way! I place several dabs around the perimeter and smear it around with my finger. This stuff is amazing for sealing. It is like silicone, but silicone is "RTV", meaning Room Temperature Vulcanizing, it vulcanizes (hardens) at room temp...Hylomar does not EVER vulcanize, therefore it stays sticky forever, and not leave rubbery strings in the engine (that seem to wreak havoc with oil pumps).
(So as you can see there are two alternative options being recommended here, ie: AVIATION GASKET CEMENT or HYLOMAR, both are incredible products and I would recommend using either one, ultimately one will discover that HYLOMAR has been "discontinued" within your typical "autozone" or "NAPA" stores leaving one to only find the product perhaps on EBAY for reference purposes)
QUESTION:
Evo 1340 : base gaskets 05-19-2004
From: bagman (Original Message)
any suggestions for base gasket replacement? can't seem to make mine stop leaking.
ANSWER:
From: JohnS_Rosamond_CA
Harley's OEM base gasket has never really worked well, and has gone through several revisions. I have seen many of the "oil fix's" and didn't care for them. Cometic and James are both good (better than paper for sure), however, I have had some trouble with both (even where the mating surfaces were true). However, I personally use the James metal base gasket with a thin coating of Hylomar on both sides. On bikes where I know that there is a sealing problem, this combination has not yet failed. Dry 'till they come apart.
The base gaskets do have a tendency to leak. I second the use of the James aluminum base gasket, but with one caveat. I use a thin layer of hylomar on both sides of the gasket. My mechanic buddy has since stopped using James base gaskets due to a series of "come backs." However, after I began using the hylomar, I haven't had one premature failure. One of the bikes that I used this set up on was a habitual leaker. Couldn't get it to stay for more than a few thousand miles. It's been dry now for more than 30,000m. Hylomar is available at most general automotive stores, made in the U.S. by Permatex.
John S,
I FOUND THIS POST IN ANOTHER THREAD AND I FEEL IT'S WORTH MENTIONING HERE:
From: Harleyguy5731 Sent: 3/20/2008 2:41 PM
Evo's have base gaskets, Twin Cam's have "O" rings. The reason that base gaskets leak on EVO's is that the heads were either not torqued down properly when they were installed either that or the rider does not warm the engine up sufficiently before getting into the throttle. The aluminum heads grow as they get hot and as they grow the seal the thin base gaskets. If the heads were torqued down beyound spec's as the jugs expanded they would tear out the bolts. When a rider gets into the throttle before the jugs have expanded sufficiently, the head gasket will get trashed from pressure being built up in the cylinder, Twin cams tend to require less warming up that the EVO's, however they also do require some warming up to allow the jugs to grow and to seal the "O" rings, I hope this helps! Harleyguy5731