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[faceracer]

Are the head gaskets really worth it? Do they make a difference?? Worthwhile??

YES IMHO!   

[cahdbiker]

Roadking71865, my Fulsac stage one runs so well that I would not consider changing it out, especially if I had to put in the thinner headgaskets to gain 8.58 HP and 8.84 lbs of torque. Now if something breaks and the top end had to come off then I would definitely change. I get good mileage even with passenger and luggage. Had a great trip from Simi Valley, Ca. to Lake Louise B.C. and back this last summer. Plenty of power and no issues like possibility of a leak because I changed the head gaskets. JMHO based on the "leave well enough alone" motto.CAHDBIKER

[JCZ]

Are the head gaskets really worth it? Do they make a difference?? Worthwhile??

I didn't do the head gaskets originally (although Jim strongly suggested it).  Just didn't want to bump compression even a little bit.

When my flywheels took a dump and the MoCo was paying for a complete new motor rebuild with all new parts, I had the flywheels pinned, welded and balanced and had the .030 cometic gaskets installed.  The motor is a lot smoother (the biggest difference) due to the balancing and I did notice a slight bit more torque by seat of the pants.  The dyno confirmed a bit more ft. lb. of torque.

[roadking71865]

At this point I'm going to change out to 2.0 cores and see how it goes.  Am currently running Big Sucker Air Cleaner and looking to upgrade that since, I'm told from many on this site, it will sooner or later fall off even with precautions taken?  Any recommendations?  Heard the Harley SE that is now stock on the Ultra CVO's is pretty good.  Suggestions??

[Cvostu]

I'm not sure. I want to be educated on why the slightly thinner head gasket is such a discussed topic.  Can I have some ideas of the benefits and the chances I would take if I went to the .030.   Thanks for any help on this one.

[faceracer]

I'm not sure. I want to be educated on why the slightly thinner head gasket is such a discussed topic.  Can I have some ideas of the benefits and the chances I would take if I went to the .030.   Thanks for any help on this one.

Cons: Mechanic screws up your bike or you develope a cylinder head leak

Pros: This is right form the Fullsac web site: While cams are being installed, it's a convenient time to slip in a set of
Cometic .030 head gaskets. Optional but highly recommended, these thinner head gaskets will decrease excessive piston to head clearance improving combustion efficiency, while again increasing low octane fuel tolerance.

I remember reading a post from Steve where he states the Andrews 54 runs better with a slight increase in compression, but I think the main reason is to help the Quinch or squish? In lamen terms it will help prevent detonation with crappy fuel which we all get from time to time especially when on road trips.


Honstly if I was that worried about pulling the heads I would not even think of changing the cams? The cams are a more technical install that a head gasket swap  and there is more potenial for things to go wrong? Bearing, tensioners, sprokets, gaskets? JMHO!

[panhead]

Just talked to cammy and steve today (monday) and ordered stage II kit and gaskets for my 2011 road glide ultra. can,t wait to get them installed went with 2" cores also. Steve really knows his stuff and is very very willing to share his knowledge. so  far can't say enough about him or the company!!!

[faceracer]

I think you will be very happy....... Face

[rrussow]

Keep us posted panhead, I may be ordering the Stage II fullsac as well sometime before Spring.

[SHRK2TH]

Just got back from having the ride of my life, its January   Picked the bike up at the dealer after the install of the Fullsac Stage II.  Temp was 51 here in Iowa,
all Interstate to get home.  Was in and out of the throttle alot and shifting from 5th to 6th to vary the rpms for a good break-in. 
 

[Frankcsal]

I just had Doc tune my 2012 Road Glide Skunk and I just could not believe the difference. The bike is very happy now and I am  to.

Doc replaced the head pipe to a Jackpot Series 2-1-2 Dyno tuned assembly.  I wanted to keep my stock mufflers because I liked the look so Doc had Fullsac replace the baffles with Fullsac 2" baffles.  Doc used a TTS Master Tune.

My SAE dyno numbers are 96.35hp and 121.07 tq.

I can't say enough about Doc.  Good guy and knows his stuff. 

Thanks Frank but Doc only tuned it.....the Fullsac 2'' cores and X Pipe is what made the power....I only made sure we got it out.
It was a 65 degree day when we tuned Franks bike and the UNCORRECTED graph was 127tq and 101hp....thats awesome for a pipe/baffle change.
Doc

[Hotrod50]

At this point I'm going to change out to 2.0 cores and see how it goes.  Am currently running Big Sucker Air Cleaner and looking to upgrade that since, I'm told from many on this site, it will sooner or later fall off even with precautions taken?  Any recommendations?  Heard the Harley SE that is now stock on the Ultra CVO's is pretty good.  Suggestions??

I havn't heard about this problem of the Big Sucker Falling off.   I was just planning on installing it.   Please fill me in.

[mjb765]

I was also wondering about the head gasket swap. I just ordered the Andrews cams and decided against disturbing the heads. I know the common opinion is to do it, but I am not crazy about the idea of removing the heads and risking any movement of the barrels which would cause a base gasket leak. Am I reading correctly that this has NEVER happened to anyone that did these gaskets??  Not one single oil leak developed???  If that happens and the MoCo sees aftermarket head gaskets they could very easily deny any warranty repair for the oil leak......Maybe I am being overly cautious but I can't get that thought out of my mind......

[HOGMIKE]

I was also wondering about the head gasket swap. I just ordered the Andrews cams and decided against disturbing the heads. I know the common opinion is to do it, but I am not crazy about the idea of removing the heads and risking any movement of the barrels which would cause a base gasket leak. Am I reading correctly that this has NEVER happened to anyone that did these gaskets??  Not one single oil leak developed???  If that happens and the MoCo sees aftermarket head gaskets they could very easily deny any warranty repair for the oil leak......Maybe I am being overly cautious but I can't get that thought out of my mind......

If you are concerned about warranty I would leave it bone stock. It's up to your dealer to work with you on these issues. Some dealers will allow quite a bit of leeway and others will slam the door on you.
AND that can change daily!
 

[mjb765]

If you are concerned about warranty I would leave it bone stock. It's up to your dealer to work with you on these issues. Some dealers will allow quite a bit of leeway and others will slam the door on you.
AND that can change daily!
 

along with dealership service dept staff--at least around here......