Head Gasket Replacement

A head gasket leak on a Harley-Davidson is one of the most common results of years of thermal cycling — the expansion and contraction of aluminum heads and cylinders as the engine heats and cools through thousands of ride cycles. Oil weeping from behind the cylinder, around the head bolts, or down the fin area of the cylinder indicates a failing head gasket that needs professional attention before it becomes a larger problem.

What's Included

• Exhaust system partial removal for access
• Rocker box removal and gasket inspection
• Cylinder head removal
• Head deck surface inspection and resurfacing if warped (within spec)
• New head gasket installed (OEM or Cometic/James premium gasket)
• Rocker box gaskets replaced simultaneously
• Pushrod tube o-rings replaced (upper and lower)
• Head bolt torque sequence per factory spec

Why Replace Rocker Box Gaskets at the Same Time?

When a cylinder head comes off, the rocker boxes must be removed first. Since rocker box gaskets are another common leak point on the same engine and the labor to access them is already spent, replacing them simultaneously adds minimal parts cost and eliminates a likely second repair within a year or two. We recommend this approach on every head gasket job — it's the smart choice.

Nova Scotia Climate Considerations

Pictou County's riding season means bikes go through significant temperature swings — from summer heat to fall cold snaps and back. Each thermal cycle works the head gasket. Bikes with deferred oil changes run hotter than they should, accelerating gasket wear. Keeping up with oil service is the best preventive measure for head gasket longevity.