sealing pushrod grommets

[jep]

I was going to use the tool in the Haynes  manual on page 86 on my '80.  The manual states that the seal support rings are brazed into place from '81 on.  I'm wondering if the pushrod tube can moved to create a better seal?  I have airheads that are later than '81 that I think could use a tighter seal.  If this has been hashed over in the past can someone please direct me to that thread.  jep  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

jep,

I am afraid that article is a little misleading.  That is a very cheap and lazy fix for a problem that will likely reoccur.

These grommets (rubber seals?) harden over time and heat, and if they are old, they will never seal properly.  The only sure fix is to replace them, which is not all that hard.

Keep in mind the seals for the R65/45 are a different part # than the bigger bikes.

To install them, you need to remove the valve cover, and then remove the heads.

Slide the cylinder partway out, but keep the piston and it's rings inside.
You can now reach the seals to remove them.  Pay close attention to their orientation.  They will only fit one way!!!

Put it back together.
It is good to have a torque wrench for putting the heads back on.  Especially so you do not overdo it and pull a stud out of it's aluminum threads!


Also, personally, I would never go this far without pulling the cylinder all the way off (no big deal) so you could also replace the large o-ring that goes around the cylinder base, and the two small o-rings that go on the top two cylinder studs.
 
You are trying to stop oil leaks, right?

[Bob_Roller]

With the average age of the R65 being 20 + years, you need to replace all seal involved when doing an in-depth job,or you will be back in there again in the not to distant future to finish up what you should have done already.

[jep]

I agree, replace the seals instead of banging away with a hammer.  I was wondering if the tubes have a tendency to work their way outward.  I have another airhead where I replaced the grommets and the o-rings and the pushrods were leaking a year later.  my thoughts were that this might be a needed chore along with replacing the grommets.  Thanks for the heads up that the R65 grommets are different that the other airheads.  jep  

[Bob_Roller]

The push-rod tubes are pressed into the cylinder, and are a bit of a project to remove and re-install without the proper specialty tool. Most attempts that I have read about usually results in damaging the push-rod tubes themselves.

[jep]

Thanks Bob.  I'll gonna leave well enough alone.  jep

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Yes jep, there is probably no reason to disturb the tubes.  The most likely reason is rust.  The procedure has been discussed many times on the internet.