I bought this shovelhead engine which had a Delkron case. I noticed the bottom cover is leaking and it seems to be riveted. If so do I cut them off and hopefully tap the holes. I've read that they're notorious for leaking but these rivets have surprised me. Any suggestions ?

 

are you sure they are not small allens usually 1/4 X 20 - might have been a couple with 10 x 24 thread

had many in and out and never seen rivets on the bottom windage cover

 

Well no I'm not sure. They look like they might be tamper prove or some thing. They are rounded heads with a center that appears to have been filled with what ever or they are rivets. I was surprised to see this. Bottom line is I'm going to have to pull it some how. Not sure if I can do it in frame or not, other wise I'll have to pull the engine out of the frame

 

drill a small hole about .050 deep in the side of the button - then sharpen a punch dont over heat it - but heat the button -- put it the sharpened punch in the drilled hole and hit it in a counter clock wise direction - that should brake it loose - my guess its a kicker so on the right side kick it over hold the kicker down and lay the bike over on to the kicker pedal - you will be able to do 1/2 of them that way on the kick stand side

an angle drill with a very good bit will drill the button off the head of the bolts then a vise grip will turn them right out once the cover is removed

 

How about a reverse drill bit ? You're saying there's a threaded piece that needs to come out and then use standard hex head bolts to go back in ?

 

if someone has been and it appears they have - the fasteners are going to be tight - the reverse drill bit only works if it catches an edge and causes a snap in the turning, and thats the way it may be bolted, you would have to be dead on - like on a bridgeport so you dont cut the threads side out at the same time

 

ya know - I wonder if those are not those stupid safety socket head screws with the center post - the torx-head security button screw - these looked "filled" - I have a Delkron motor down on the stand and I cannot believe they could rivet those bottom screws - the rivet would not pull tight - must be some type of button head screw like a security torx

 

 

I called Delkron and sent a picture of this and he said they never attach them like this. Makes you wonder why anyone would do this.

 

The one in the top left of the pic looks like someting is jammed into it...even dirt maybe...the bottom one [rearward of the top left?] looks like a Buttonhead to me!!!