02-26-2018, 02:42 AM
My 1966 Lightning leaked oil. But when I removed the primary chain case cover to install Barnett clutch plates, I found out why. In the case was a small pocket that gathered oil and sent it down a channel to lube the drive chain. I placed a drop of solder in the well to seal it. My Lightning stayed clean after that.
Many of the people that complained about the twins leaking oil were the authors of the own discontent. I shuddered when I saw large gobs of Red Hermetite smeared over the crankcase and primary chain cover.
I used a stiff artist brush to a apply a very thin coat of Red Hermetite on the crankcase halves. When it got tacky, I applied another very thin coat. Anything that oozed when the cases were fastened closed was wiped off. Neat, clean and no leaks.
The primary chain cover had a thin paper gasket that should be replaced when the cover was removed. I applied a thin layer of Vaseline on both sides, not Red Hermetite. That allowed the gasket to stick to the case, but move and not tear or crease when the cover was applied. All the screws were placed with a few turns so the gasket stretched out properly before the cover was pushed on. Only then were the screws tightened down. Neat, clean and no leaks.
Many of the people that complained about the twins leaking oil were the authors of the own discontent. I shuddered when I saw large gobs of Red Hermetite smeared over the crankcase and primary chain cover.
I used a stiff artist brush to a apply a very thin coat of Red Hermetite on the crankcase halves. When it got tacky, I applied another very thin coat. Anything that oozed when the cases were fastened closed was wiped off. Neat, clean and no leaks.
The primary chain cover had a thin paper gasket that should be replaced when the cover was removed. I applied a thin layer of Vaseline on both sides, not Red Hermetite. That allowed the gasket to stick to the case, but move and not tear or crease when the cover was applied. All the screws were placed with a few turns so the gasket stretched out properly before the cover was pushed on. Only then were the screws tightened down. Neat, clean and no leaks.