The Chopper Compendium

I screwed up today by cranking down on one of the clutch cover screws too much on a 72(?) Sportster and split the aluminum primary (integral to the engine). Just a hairline, visible from the outside, right at the boss where the top screw goes in. I think this happened because there was left over dried gasket goop in the hole - which I've now learned to clean out before closing things up- and because I was rushing.

Can I fix this with, like, with toothpaste, or hairspray, or apple cider vinegar or something?

(Feeling like Gilligan.)

Did you hear a loud 'poping' sound when you tweaked down on the fastener? If not then you most likely just opened up a crack that was already there and the 'goop' was probably some other person 'fix'. If the crack is on the 'weak' side of the boss then just seal it with J-B weld as it probably won't propagate any further.

Thank you Gary.
Actually I heard two popping sounds. the first was the splitting aluminum, then my palm hitting my forehead.

XL forum deals with this. Some good advice online.

My dad showed me how to use JB Weld for aluminum on a transmission case for a Yamaha, years ago.
Not sure how difference there is in internal pressures, but this one held fine for thousand of miles.

An interesting link.

www.ironheadcycle.com/

If you look under "tech Info" he has some useful tools.