Before I start, I'lltell what I have. A'98 wideglide with s&s carb, crane pushrods and crane ignition.. not sure what else might be in engine, bought it used.
Ok, now to my story...lol. I left to go to a rally last week and a few miles out of town I smelled something hot. Pulled over and saw my oil cap popped open, oil all over bottom halves of all of the pushrod covers and on rear exhaust. babied it back home and took my trike. yesterday went to car wash to clean it off so I could determine what's happening. sprayed degreaser on everything and washed it off. got it back home, no leak. let it set and idle for a bit, then revved it a few times, no leak. Took it out on the road and opened it up, bingo! Started blowing out.
Did compression check today. My clymer repair manual stated it should be about 90psi. I got 145 on rear and 100 on front. Apparently previous owner had more in this engine that isn't stock. Anyway, still a big difference between cyls. Put plugs back in, took air cleaner off so I can access breater tube. Has a LOT of air coming out at idle and none detectable when I rev it. First question is should this be normal with the breather tube?
The other question being blowby in front cyl is obvious, could I put a can of engine restore in it to buy some time till I can rebuild it? Recently laid off and don't have the funds right now to do a rebuild.

I apologize for the long drawn out post.

 

....Did the 145 cylinder have much oil on plug like the intake valve guide seal is leaking? Make sure the hot engine oil level is correct and correct weight range. Obvious you need to get oil cap problem fixed to right it. But with good compression, it's obvious it will make a good around town bike for a very long time. Want to ride across country, then that is another matter. .

 

Both plugs are normal color (tan) with no signs of oil or carbon

 

I wouldn't put anything like restore in it. You have to remember that your bearings are not clevite 77 but roller bearings... and if you have that much of a difference in compression you really need a tear down.

 

I tore down the top end on both cyls and taking them to shop to be bored and order new pistons. When I put it back together, do I need to use conventional oil for the break-in period?

 

Yes.
Scott

 

That was what I figured, but wanted to make sure. that little detail was omitted from my repair manual.