Click Here to read more about gearcase changes around the upper feed galley.

1957-E1982 right cases with the small boss and upper oil feed oil slot:
1952-1976 K and Sportsters original gasket (25224-52), designed with an upper feed oil hole. Updated gasket (25224-52A).
1977-L1981 and some E1982 Sportsters original gasket (25224-52A) original had a single for the upper feed galley passage.
The original gasket was updated in Nov. 1979 with a short slanted slot added to match the gearcase modification in L1979-E1980 models. ¹⁾
And the updated -52A gasket replaced the -52 gasket for 1952-1976 models in the -78B catalog.

1982-1985 and some L1981 right cases with the large boss and upper oil feed hole:
L1981-1985 Sportsters use gasket (25263-81), designed with a long horizontal slot.

1957-E1982 oil feed slot 2)	L1981-1985 oil feed hole 3)

Cam Cover Gasket (25224-52A) 4)	Cam Cover Gasket (25263-81)

Click Here to read “Finding Acceptable Lengths for Gearcase/Cam Cover Screws” in the REF section of the Sportsterpedia.

• 1952-1970 K/Sportster Cam Covers Use:
  • (9) Cover Screws.
    • 1/4“ x 20 x 1-1/2” Oval Slotted Head Bolt Screw (2345) x 3.
      1/4“ x 20 x 2-5/16” Oval Slotted Head Screw (2353) x 5.
      1/4“ x 20 x 2-1/4” Oval Slotted Head Screw (2352) x 1.
  • (2) Generator Mounting Bolts.
    • 5/16“ x 24 Bolt (30013-52) x 2. Angled shank under head to sit flush in mounting hole.
  • (2) Solid Dowel Pins.
    • .308” dia x .690“ long (375). Gearcase has matching dowel pin holes in front and rear.
• 1971-1976 Sportster Cam Covers Use;
  • (8) Cover Screws.
    • 1/4” x 20 x 1-3/4“ (1971-1973 Phillips Head Screw, 1316W x 3) or (1974-1976: Posidriv Head Screw, 1316W x 3).
      1/4” x 20 x 1-1/4“ (1971-1973 Phillips Head Screw, 1317W x 1) or (1974-1976 Posidriv Head Screw, 1317W x 1)
      1/4” x 20 x 2-1/4“ (1971-1973 Phillips Head Screw, 1370W x 4) or (1974-1976 Posidriv Head Screw 1370W x 4)
  • (2)- Generator Mounting Bolts
    • 5/16” x 24 x 3-1/4“ Hex Head Bolt (30013-71) x 2.
  • (2) Solid Dowel Pins.
    • .308” dia x .690“ long (375) x 2. Gearcase has matching dowel pin holes in front and rear.
• 1977-E1981 covers use;
  • (8) Cover Screws.
    • 1/4” x 20 x 1-3/4“ Posidriv Head Screw, (1316W) x 3.
      1/4” x 20 x 1-1/4“ Posidriv Head Screw, (1317W) x 1.
      1/4” x 20 x 2-1/2“ Posidriv Head Screw (1381) x 4.
  • (2)- Generator Mounting Bolts
    • 5/16” x 24 x 3-1/4“ Hex Head Bolt (30013-71) x 2.
  • (1) Solid Dowel Pin.
    • .308” dia x .690“ long (375). Cover has hole for rear pin but gearcase doesn't. Pin is used in front of cam cover.
• L1981-E1984 covers use;
  • (9)- 1/4” Cover Screws.
  • (2)- Generator Mounting Bolts.
    • 5/16“ x 24 x 3-1/4” Hex Head Bolt (30013-71) x 2.
  • (1)- Solid Dowel Pin (375), .308“ dia x .690” long. Pin is used in front of cam cover.
• L1984-E1985 covers use;
  • (9)- 1/4“ Cover Screws.
  • (2)- Oil Filter Mount Bolts
    • 5/16” x 18 x 3-1/4“ Hex Head Bolt (4392) x 2
  • (2)- Solid Dowel Pins (375), .308” dia x .690“ long.
    1 dowel pin is used in front on gearcase. 1 dowel pin is used in the right case, lower tranny area.

It's a good idea to clean the screw threads and the threads in the aluminum case before using them.
Any dirt/oil debris in the threads WILL change the torque that you actually apply to the screws.
You should be able to run a screw in each hole in the gearcase before installing the cover and bottom it out by hand without any binding or hesitation.
If not, the threads need attention before proceeding.
If you can't blast the threads clean, Click Here to see the article in the Sportsterpedia on chasing threads with a tap or thread mender tool.

• Cam Cover Screws:
  • 1957-1969 FSM:
    There are no torque specs or sequence for cam cover screws other than “tighten all screws evenly”. Snug plus a nudge is a general rule.
    • Use 1970-1985 specs for best results (80-110 in/lbs).
  • 1970-1985 FSMs:
    • Tighten all cam cover screws to 80-110 in/lbs evenly.
• Generator Bolts (1957-E1984): 1957-E1984 FSMs have no reference to generator bolt torque. Snug plus a nudge is the general rule.
• Oil Filter Housing (L1984-1985):
  • Tighten bolts to 13-16 ft/lbs
    

Easiest way to install the cover is to cut a few pieces of threaded rod about 3-1/2” long (or cut heads off long 1/4“ screws/bolts) for cover “holders”.
Insert a rod by hand into two or three mounting holes turning to get several threads in (it doesn't have to get tight).
Install the cover gasket and cover over the rods and push lightly on the cover to take up any space to the gearcase.
The rods help the cover come up evenly without binding anything.
Install several mounting screws in unused holes to “just snug” then remove all the rods and install all the other mounting screws “just snug”.
Then use the torque specs and torque sequence above.