I have an oil leak that appears to be running down the oil filter.

I have replaced the oil filter and checked the surface where the filter mounts. The surface appears to be smooth.

The oil filter I took off must have been put on with a impact as it was really hard to remove.

Anyway is there some sort of gasket/o-ring that is above the oil filter housing?

I have tighten the bolt behind the fender that holds the oil filter housing on but have not removed it. Is it possible over time the oil filter housing got warpped somehow?

Do they make a replacement oil filter housing.

 

Most often it's the brass fittings that go into the housing that leak. They had no sealant from the factory and usually aren't in there very tight. It's really hard to see up in there and the hoses get so stiff you can't wiggle / check the fittings until you get the hoses off. Best way is to totally remove the housing, replace and/or teflon tape the threads of the fittings.

26350-85A is the part# for that housing which is one-piece except for the threaded nipple that the filter threads on and it's included with a new housing. Hose from filter to tank is 62665-89 and oil pump to filter is 63558-85. All these were still available from HD a few months ago....

 

And if the original hoses are still on there, they are probably shot by now. They get hard and the springy clamps don't squeeze enough. A temporary fix is to put a compression clamp on, but after 20 years, I'd say it was time for some new hoses. I replaced mine with Russells stainless braided hoses.

 

When I replaced mine a went to the auto parts store and got auto trans cooler hose and good quality screw clamps, cut each to length and stategic placement of zip ties. Oh and the fittings were loooooose as hell at the filter.

 

Something like that happened to me on my '85 FXR while on a lengthy road trip. We got a double ended brass barb, connected the "in" and "out" lines to each other and bypassed the filter to get us into Daytona. Once there, I did an oil change. After the week was over, I ran the 1000 mi. home, then replaced the whole oil filter mount bracket. The original bracket had become loose and we saw some oil. I couldn't access it with the tools I had with me at that time on the road, so we just ran on with it hanging there...with filter attached. Eventually, the whole thing fell off... One of the guys in the back of the pack saw it bouncing merrily down the road as it went by him..!!

 

thanks guys for the info, I will get to it in a couple weeks.

much appreciated!

 

Hate to sound stupid but where did you look this part number up at? I went to HD website but the number did not show up. Just wanting to get a ball park cost figure.

 

Some dealership's websites have a "parts" look-up, but it's mostly for accessories. I got them from the 1987 to 1990 Big Twin Parts Manual (HD).

Don't know where you live, but some dealerships charge outrageous prices for special order parts. (MSRP + a lot) So if they are still availiable, check a couple different sources if you suspect price gouging and most dealerships require up-front payment before ordering which I don't have a problem with, personally.

 

These dealers have on-line prices, but you need the part numbers, I think Zanotti has a pdf file with their current inventory:


http://www.zanottimotor.com/

http://www.chicagoharley.com/shop/

http://www.bikerbobshd.com/

http://www.surdykeharley.com/Default.asp

 

GREAT info Joe!

I'd recommend calling before ordering from anyone online -- I just looked up several part numbers, known to be obsolete and not showing up, even thru Vintage Parts sources. Yet, a couple of these sites show them as avaliable. (?)