78 ironhead !!! HELP!!!
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Houston Tx
78 ironhead !!! HELP!!!
replaced primary adjusting shoe and replaced gasket,,,filled it with oil ,,,now after i started engine oil drips out the base of my starter solinod,,,how is oil getting through there ,,,is there a oring or seal there i need to replace to,,,,,and what type of oil do i use for primary and how much ,,,any hekp would be appreciated
78 ironhead 1000 project
78 ironhead 1000 project
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: 78 ironhead !!! HELP!!!
Your bike uses the same oil in the tranny/primary as in the engine. There is some interchange of engine-primary/tranny oil on the older Ironheads through the oil transfer valve. Do not use something in there you wouldn't want in your motor!
Here's the filling procedure: With motorcycle straight up, remove the oil filler plug, and the oil level plug. The filler is located near the top of the primary cover, and the level plug is near the bottom. Add oil slowly, until it starts to come out the level hole. Allow it to run out until it stops. You now have the correct amount in. (How much is that? When you follow this procedure, measure it and come back and tell us! The manual doesn't give an amount.)
Here's the filling procedure: With motorcycle straight up, remove the oil filler plug, and the oil level plug. The filler is located near the top of the primary cover, and the level plug is near the bottom. Add oil slowly, until it starts to come out the level hole. Allow it to run out until it stops. You now have the correct amount in. (How much is that? When you follow this procedure, measure it and come back and tell us! The manual doesn't give an amount.)
Cruiser
Joined: May 2005
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From: Sanford, North Carolina
RE: 78 ironhead !!! HELP!!!
hey there . nice to see another ironhead sporty lives! the starter has a paper gasket which goes in between the tranny housing and the starter. the bolts for the starter are behind the primary, behind the clutch. if theyre loose thatl cause them to leak. also on my 83 there is a vent hole at the top of the trannycase, beneath the starter i had to run a hose to it to run down on the ground, cause it slings some of the oil out there too. as for your oil level in the primary i belive its 1.5 pints that equals 3/4 quart. hope this helps
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Joined: Oct 2005
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RE: 78 ironhead !!! HELP!!!
well, MY manual gives an amount: 1.5 PINTS (as per sportywrench-corrected by Sharkie & 83!)
As long as it's not severly OVERfilled, it shouldn't be leaking around the solenoid... unless maybe it's loose, or needs a new gasket?
It never fails that if I need to fix something, I need to fix something ELSE too![sm=smiley35.gif]
As long as it's not severly OVERfilled, it shouldn't be leaking around the solenoid... unless maybe it's loose, or needs a new gasket?
It never fails that if I need to fix something, I need to fix something ELSE too![sm=smiley35.gif]
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Houston Tx
RE: 78 ironhead !!! HELP!!!
you say the level hole is near bottom,,,are you talking about were the cap to adjust clutch ,,or is it the small philup head screw at the bottom
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: 78 ironhead !!! HELP!!!
The small Phillips head near the bottom. If you filled it 'til it was running out of the clutch adjuster hole, the clutch would never release, and you'd bankrupt a small oil producer! 
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Joined: Oct 2005
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RE: 78 ironhead !!! HELP!!!
here's a pic of my primary cover I enlarged, arrow points to the level hole...as you can tell from how low it is, it won't take much oil!
EDIT 83Ironhead caught me nappin', I've corrected the picture, SORRY!
EDIT 83Ironhead caught me nappin', I've corrected the picture, SORRY!