Installing the Heads

Start installing the heads by putting blue painter's tape (or something) over the sparkplug holes. This will prevent anything from dropping inside the cylinder, as you continue your installation.

Next, insert alignment dowels into the cylinder tops.

Install new head gaskets. Make certain they are oriented so that all the holes line up.

Take picts.

Take one of the heads and orient the exhaust port to the bike's right-side and the intake port toward the engine’s center. Then put it over the cylinder studs and onto the cylinder top. See Important Tip below.

Important Tip: If you just set the head onto the dowel tops, and then slide the head around until it finds the dowel holes, you will likely scratch the head’s gasket surface--not good. Instead, squat or sit down. Then, as you lower the head onto the cylinder top, look under the head, and guide the dowel holes directly toward the dowels. Lightly set the head on the dowels, and don’t let go of the head’s weight until you’re sure you’ve got it in place.

Now, insert the head bolts (which are actually very long nuts). Hand tighten them. Then begin tightening each bolt one-half turn or so at a time, until the head finally seats squarely on the cylinder top.

At this point, do the following torque procedure for each head:

• Torque all six bolts to 28 ft-lbs.
• Continue tightening the largest four bolts to 36 ft-lbs.
• Loosen all the bolts one-half turn or so.
• Torque them again, using 28 ft-lbs for the smaller bolts near the sparkplugs; 36 ft-lbs for the bigger bolts.

Repeat this process for the other head.

Finally, put some motor oil or assembly lube on and around the valve stems on the heads.

This completes the heads installation. Rockers, lifters, and pushrods are next.