Engine Mechanical Topics Discussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.

engine blow-by questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 9, 2014 | 11:47 AM
  #1  
mystryman's Avatar
mystryman
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Default engine blow-by questions

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.
 
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2014 | 11:52 AM
  #2  
Jackie Paper's Avatar
Jackie Paper
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,593
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Default

....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. .
 

Last edited by Jackie Paper; Oct 9, 2014 at 11:59 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2014 | 03:15 PM
  #3  
mystryman's Avatar
mystryman
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Default

Both plugs are normal color (tan) with no signs of oil or carbon
 
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2014 | 07:23 PM
  #4  
98hotrodfatboy's Avatar
98hotrodfatboy
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,639
From: Poolville
Default Can't buy time

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.
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2014 | 11:25 AM
  #5  
mystryman's Avatar
mystryman
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Default

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?
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2014 | 11:50 AM
  #6  
Hillsidecycle.com's Avatar
Hillsidecycle.com
Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,084
Likes: 829
Default

Originally Posted by mystryman
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
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2014 | 04:32 PM
  #7  
mystryman's Avatar
mystryman
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Default

That was what I figured, but wanted to make sure. that little detail was omitted from my repair manual.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RicRides
Sportster Models
10
Feb 9, 2015 12:09 PM
Runner58
Touring Models
6
Aug 17, 2014 06:14 PM
gofasted
EVO
19
Jun 24, 2010 08:22 AM
Road King Kid
Exhaust System Topics
33
May 15, 2010 07:19 PM
lowglide88
EVO
5
May 6, 2009 10:38 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:38 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE