Interesting Shovelhead problem

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Aug 12, 2015 | 10:24 PM

TheZombie

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From: Indy

Interesting Shovelhead problem

My brother has an '82 FLT, and It started puking oil out of the crank breather after he rode it a few blocks. I'll try to skip the play-by-play, but here's what was done.
New rings
Bigger cam (I don't know the specs)
New high capacity oil pump
New oil hoses
New head gaskets
Various other gaskets

It still puked.

Then he put in a new steel breather gear because the old plastic one was warped. It wasn't warped in the beginning.

Now it blows white smoke real bad after about 60 seconds. I also noticed tonight that the oil pressure gauge read 15lbs with the engine off. He left and a few of us thought about it for a while. Here's what we came up with:
Could the oil return passages be blocked causing it to build up pressure in the top end? I called him and told him to look at the gauge in the morning to see if it has zeroed.

What do you think? Ever had this happen? Is the logic sound?
Thanks for any opinions.

Aug 13, 2015 | 06:02 AM

Hillsidecycle.com

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Good return flow back to the oil bag?
Scott

Aug 13, 2015 | 11:38 AM

Babyboy

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From: Lockport Illinois

Interesting Shovelhead problem

Sounds like the scavenger side of the oil pump isnt pulling the oil out of the crankcase and crank case is full of oil not returning to the oil tank.possibly a pinched line. If the lines are ok
Make sure all four oil pump gears have there keyways installed correctly.

Aug 13, 2015 | 10:05 PM

Ed Ramberger

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From: Then Wisconsin, now North Carolina

Also, make sure the correct cam gasket was used. That one is a bottom breather and if they used the cam gasket without the block off it will puke.

Aug 13, 2015 | 11:05 PM

TheZombie

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From: Indy

Thanks for the replies.

The oil pressure gauge turned out to be faulty. It still read 15lbs after I took it off. I took it for a ride, and the thing runs like a raped ape. It just smokes.

I'll have him look at the keyways. It's a brand new pump, but I know things aren't always perfect.

It started puking before the gasket was replaced, so I don't think it's that.

There is a dribble returning to the oil tank. I can only see it for a few seconds, because it starts smoking or misting in there. Now that I think of it, it was spitting out the oil cap/dipstick when he first got the bike about 8 months ago. He just replaced it with a tighter one. Maybe that's telling me something.

Thanks again for the replies. They're appreciated.

Aug 15, 2015 | 09:28 PM

TheZombie

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From: Indy

I rode it again, and it runs great. I seems to run better when it's cold. There's still smoke coming out of the oil tank. When he's in the gas, it doesn't seem to smoke much. When he first starts it, there's not that much smoke. When we stop at a light, it smokes like crazy. The smoke drops off after it idles for a minute. There was a cute chick in a car next to him at a light, and she pointed at the smoke. I said "I know. It's for mosquitoes." Shoulda got her number.

Seriously, we're about to pull the heads back off. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Last edited by TheZombie; Aug 15, 2015 at 09:29 PM. Reason: Removed sig

Aug 16, 2015 | 06:54 AM

Dan89FLSTC

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From: South Carolina

Make sure the oil hoses are routed correctly. If the oil filter hoses are reversed, and you are using an oil filter with an anti drain back valve it will stop the flow.