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Engine Mechanical TopicsDiscussion 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.
Just rebuilt my 2009 Street Glide that already was a 103, Woods cam, Fat Cat exhaust and ported heads because base gasket o-rings were leaking. Still seeped a little bit after rebuild so snugged up the outside head bolts and several people here from another thread said that wasn't a good itdea so I backed them off just the slight amount that I tightened.
I'm on a trip in TN/NC and it has run spot on and the leak cleared itself up so I was very happy about that. Today I had to stop quickly because of traffic and accidentally started off up hill with it in 2nd and killed it. Started right up and took off and noticed it was smoking from oil dripping on front header. I pulled over and there is oil that looks to be leaking from the middle of the front cyclinder head above the combustion chamber.
I was right near Knoxville, TN so stopped into the HD dealership but they were no help and didn't give a sh*t. I limped it back to my dad's place, when I say I limped I mean LIMPED, not getting on the throttle hard at all and it ran fine.
I'm on vacation and I know it's part of the journey but F-me! Am I better off trying to find a set of stock heads and put them on? I have manual compression releases in the head now because it's has high compression pistons. Can these heads be welded, depending on where the crack is at, and what filler is the best to use (so I could tell a shop)? I have not done a compression test as I don't have a tester handy. I just want to get back to Iowa at the end of the week.
Sorry for the long post and thanks!!!!!!
Last edited by Bagger_Vance; Jun 16, 2015 at 10:16 PM.
I'd be a bit pissed at the dealer being away from home/vacation and no help from them. Add their name to the post man. Good luck on your repair, keep us posted.
There is oil coming from the middle of the head just above the middle of the combustion chamber. The gasket is fine and not leaking anywhere. Oil is running down the fins and on to my pipe and spraying oil back when riding. What else do you think it could be? I'm open to suggestions. Rod covers and tubes are firmly seated.
Last edited by Bagger_Vance; Jun 15, 2015 at 10:08 PM.
They are seated firmly but I will double check again. I even pulled the covered off to make sure the tube lips didn't unseat. When it first happened there wasn't anything on the "ceiling" of the head but after riding it sprayed everywhere. What places could straight up oil come from besides the tubes? I would be elated if it were that. I'm going to get carb cleaner and spray it all out and then fire it up to see where it is coming from. Scott, I'm going to give you a call this morning too. Thanks.
Last edited by Bagger_Vance; Jun 16, 2015 at 06:38 AM.
I sure hope so guys. I'm so blind to the obvious at the moment I'm embarrassed. I have SE adjustable pushrod and tubes and if that's what it is (hoping) I'm going to try to find some S&S quickies and cut these bastards off. Thanks.
I sure hope so guys. I'm so blind to the obvious at the moment I'm embarrassed. I have SE adjustable pushrod and tubes and if that's what it is (hoping) I'm going to try to find some S&S quickies and cut these bastards off. Thanks.
A little drastic don't ya think? Find the leaking o-ring, replace it and get back on the road.
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HELP! Cracked head and on the road
