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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.
So I know I'm new here but I have been searching for hours on any kind of information on relocating oil passages for 3 13/16 axtell cylinders. I traded my father my sporty for his "92 Softail" I say this in quotes because the bike is a conglomeration of different years and parts. The motor is my main priority because this thing has leaked oil from the head gaskets since it was built in the mid 90s. My father finally gave up trying to fix it and just let it sit. Well I wanted to rebuild it and make it rideable last year. Put all new gaskets on it from base cylinders up. Thought I had it but 100 miles later it started seeping and 200 miles later it looks like the rear of the bike was dipped in oil after a 10 mile ride. I just started tearing it down and pulled the heads again. I see no reason for it to be leaking oil this bad. I am taking the heads in tomorrow to have them checked but it is leaking from the oil passages. I read on one of the sites that its no big deal to run external returns but I haven't found anything as far as how to do it or even someone that has done it.
This was from last summer After rebuild and paint
Seeing it's been a problem since the Axtell cylinders i would bring them your cylinders as well. You need to make sure the base and the top deck are square. Have you tried Cometic, MLS gaskets?
I doubt if the oilways need to be 'relocated', whatever you mean by that, or that external oil pipes will help. More likely it's leaking oil because the heads are not flat, but a local shop should be able to advise. Another possibility, which I suffered on a bike many years ago, is that a cylinder stud has stripped in the crankcase, so the bike is guaranteed to leak somewhere on that cylinder. It may take some detective work to get to the bottom of this, but the solution will probably be simple!
Thanks for the replies guys really appreciate it. My father always used copper and refused to put anything else on it. I ordered some mls gaskets yesterday. I won't have time to look into it again till Friday but will look at the studs to be sure. Do you think it could be from too much pressure in the rocker boxes?
You're guessing! Unlikely, unless you have a serious problem with the cylinder bores. Talk things through with the shop you're taking your heads and cylinders to.
Scott is right on.. I've run cooper gaskets and while they seal the combustion chamber well, they always seemed to leak at the returns after a while.. I'd resurface everything to start and have the cylinders checked for cracks..
Just got back from the machine shop. $30 to get them taken down a couple thousandths. Can't get to them till after the fourth which is fine I'm still waiting for some other parts. I was hoping the whole issue was the copper gaskets.
Just got back from the machine shop. $30 to get them taken down a couple thousandths. Can't get to them till after the fourth which is fine I'm still waiting for some other parts. I was hoping the whole issue was the copper gaskets.
Smart move.... Money well spent...
I gotta tell ya, that is one sweat looking ride... I'd love to see more pics, if you don't mind...
Is your Dad kicking himself?
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Jun 27, 2017 at 05:20 PM.
Well my dad actually couldn't ride it anymore due to cancer and having radiation treatments in his legs he couldn't hold it up so that's why we traded. Right now that's the only picture I have of it. There will be more taken once it's done in a few weeks. Still looking to modernize the front end but all the wiring goes into the headlight. I downsized the mess of wires that used to run into it but still more than I want showing. Going to pull the front end rake it 3° and drop the tail. That probably won't happen till winter though. I need to ride!
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Years of problems with head gaskets
