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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.
Then just set them to zero lash (no preload) and the spin the motor over..
Yep, now it worked. Turned it over a few times. I worried because of the resistance. I guess I was not used to how the higher lift increases the resistance. Will check the clay tomorrow, 10.30 pm here. Going home to sleep. Thank you Sir 🙏
Last edited by OakMountainRider; Feb 4, 2026 at 04:21 PM.
Chambers are measured. I did that three years ago. Front 84,8 CC and rear 85,2 CC. So I am pretty sure. I measured 192 PSI front and 194 rear last year with the 26. It was higher than calculated. I think it was because of the carbon build up, both on the pistons and in the chambers.
I will do the clay test a soon as I have put the heads together. I ended up with Manley 0.600", which will arrive from Germany soon.. They are about 5-10 % stronger than S&S 0.585", not as strong as Kibblewhite. I have replaced the exhaust valves. The stock did not have a good surface against the seat. Looked like carbon and metal melted together.
Here I want to add that I sent those Manleys back to Germany and went with NEW Harley stock springs. I was lucky and got even pressure on all valves. 135 lbs seated and 315 lbs open.
Last edited by OakMountainRider; Feb 6, 2026 at 04:26 PM.
Here I want to add that I sent those Manleys back to Germany and went with NEW Harley stock springs. I was lucky and got even pressure on all valves. 135 lbs seated and 315 lbs open.
Originally Posted by Lonewolf176
That last pic isn't tdc front, close tho
Not sure what you mean by that. The marks were made for pointing out the TDCC:s.
I don't think Lonewolf was referring to your last pic in post #36 with the sharpie marks. I believe he was referring to the "last pic" which would be the pic in your post #30 wherein you said "I got it round to TDCC on the front" which is not TDC on the front.
I don't think Lonewolf was referring to your last pic in post #36 with the sharpie marks. I believe he was referring to the "last pic" which would be the pic in your post #30 wherein you said "I got it round to TDCC on the front" which is not TDC on the front.
Hello djl!
Some misunderstanding here. What I meant was that I turned the engine to the TDCC for the front cylinder so I could install the pushrods there. I thought I just send this to sort it out:
And then Loneley Wolf sent a pic where the marks show 10 degrees more than TDCC. So I wonder what he meant. I thought maybe he meant TDC overlap and that the valves open max at 10 degrees after TDC overlap, which I read somewhere they do or else the pics dont show up at the right place in your browsers.
By the way, did you see the clearances? As you and everybody said, there is plenty of clearance. I can sleep well
Last edited by OakMountainRider; Feb 7, 2026 at 03:37 PM.
The picture on the right in the above post may have "the front cylinder ready for assembly but it is not TDC front. The picture you posted with the sharpie marks is TDC front; see the difference in that picture and the picture you posted in #30. Not a show stopper but to be "technically" correct, Lonewolf was just pointing out the difference.
Ok, I followed Fueling here. Seems to be a source of confusion. I will check this out when I am with my bike. I will see it easy now when the heads are off again. Hope I did not bend a pushrod because of this.
Last edited by OakMountainRider; Feb 7, 2026 at 05:44 PM.
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