S&S Cycle Sidewinder 3 5/8 Big Bore Cylinders for 1936–1999 Big Twins - Manual (Page 3)

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2. Relocate Head Bolt (knucklehead only)
NOTE: Since S&S Sidewinder® cylinders for knucklehead engines are modified S&S big bore cylinders for panhead engines, knucklehead heads must be
modified so bolt patterns fit panhead cylinders.
Recommended relocation procedure is as follows:
A. Determine head bolt hole that must be moved in each head by indexing S&S big bore head gasket around until four out of five holes in
gasket line up with four holes in head.
B. Grind about 1⁄16" chamfer on edge of hole to provide some room for braze when plug is brazed in place later on.
C. Retap hole to be plugged with 7⁄16-14 bottoming tap.
NOTE: Stock knucklehead bolt thread is odd 7⁄16-16 thread and must be changed to more common 7⁄16-14, because 7⁄16-16 tap is expensive and difficult to
locate.
D. Get two 7⁄16-14 soft bolts (grade 3 or less) from hardware store with sufficient thread to bottom bolt in old hole.
E. Thoroughly clean hole of all dirt, oil, etc..
F. Screw bolt in old hole and bottom tightly. Use Loctite® on threads.
G. Carefully saw or grind off bolt just above gasket surface.
H. Preheat head and fill chamfered area around bolt with braze.
I. Machine gasket surface on mill or lathe taking minimum necessary to clean surface.
J. Bolt head on Sidewinder® cylinder for knucklehead engine using all four stock remaining bolts. Transfer punch new hole position.
K. Drill and tap new mounting hole to 7⁄16-14 thread to same depth as four original holes.
NOTE: S&S® Sidewinder kit for knucklehead engines includes eight (8) 7⁄16-16 stock thread head bolts for stock holes not moved and two (2) 7⁄16-14 head
bolts for two relocated holes.
Alternative relocating procedure is as follows:
NOTE: Although alternative procedure is easier and cheaper and can be performed by any repair shop, recommended procedure eliminates any
possibility of bolt coming loose and restores gasket surface which makes for a better head gasket seal.
A. Determine head bolt hole that must be moved in each head by indexing S&S big bore head gasket around until four out of five holes in
gasket line up with four holes in head.
B. Retap hole to be plugged with 7⁄16-14 bottoming tap.
NOTE: Stock knucklehead bolt thread is odd 7⁄16-16 thread and must be changed to more common 7⁄16-14, because 7⁄16-16 tap is difficult and expensive to
locate.
C. Get two 7⁄16-14 soft bolts (grade 3 or less) from hardware store with sufficient thread to bottom bolt in old hole.
D. Screw bolt in old hole and bottom tightly. Use Loctite® on threads.
E. Carefully saw or grind off bolt just above gasket surface. Do not damage gasket surface.
Saw and/or grinding marks on head gasket surface may result in head gasket failure and possible damage to engine components.
F. Carefully hand file or grind bolt flush with gasket surface.
G. Bolt head on Sidewinder cylinder for knucklehead engines using all four stock remaining bolts. Transfer punch new hole position.
H. Drill and tap new mounting hole to 7⁄16-14 thread to same depth as four original holes.
NOTE: S&S Sidewinder kit for knucklehead engines includes eight (8) 7⁄16-16 stock thread head bolts for stock holes not moved and two (2) 7⁄16-14 head
bolts for two relocated holes.
CAUTION