Harley Rocker Boxes and Push Rods

Life's a bitch...   Thank God there's Harleys...

T made a couple of pics of the mounting of the valve push rods and rocker boxes on the 1973 Harley Sportster Ironhead engine. As part of our Sportster engine rebuilding project we replaced all nuts and bolts on the Harley engine. For this purpose we got ourselves one of the very convenient complete sets that are made by Colony Machine.

For your easy reference, the set that we got is: Complete Motor Kit - Show Bike Kit - Cap Style - Stock no. 8502 Sportster 1971-1973

Ironhead Cylinder Heads

First the refurbished cylinder heads were fixed to our Ironhead engine.

Here L is tightening the rear cylinder head bolts using a torque wrench which was set at the prescribed 65 ft-lbs torque. We got the Colony cap style bolts. Colony carry different styles as well, like acorn and pike for example.

Both cast iron cylinder heads mounted on top of the cylinders. If you push your eyes to almost closed, and use a bit of imagination, this looks a little bit like a Harley Flathead engine...

Ironhead Engine Push Rods and Oil Lines

Here L&T have installed the valve push rods and new oil lines onto the engine casing. We installed new push rod covers by Colony Machine.

Colony parts used:

• Lower Pushrod Cover Kit - Stock no. 7822-12 Sportster 1957-1985
• Upper Pushrod Cover Kit - Stock no. 7507-20 Sportster 1957-1985
• Replacement Upper Pushrod Covers (Inner) - Stock no. 7808-4 Sportster 1957-85

Ironhead Engine Rocker Arm Covers

Here the rear cylinder rocker arm cover box has been installed, with the valve push rods and oil lines connected.

Here L again handles the torque wrench to tighten the bolts on top of the rear rocker arm cover of our 1973 Ironhead engine. Recommended torque for these bolts is 20 ft-lbs.

And here she is. Push rods, oil lines and valve rocker arm covers in place, lookin' good!

Just for reference, this is how she looked one year ago:

BEFORE Cleaning and Rebuilding (May 2008)

This is how our 1973 Harley Sportster Ironhead motor looked like in May 2008, before overhauling. CLICK HERE for a closer view of this rustbucket.

May 2009