Pulled my intake today. 1990 flh. There was some oil at the outer ends of the intake, where the intske bolts to the heads. Also, tops of intake valves were oily. And...this was engine oil, not gasoline.
what would cause this? I have a super e, with a s&s tear drop air cleaner(doesn't everyone?) So no oil lines on he backing plate or anything like that. I don't have an issue with oily air filter or filter lid.

 

Valve seals.......

 

that's what i was thinking, and hoping to hear. Should also explain my smokey idle. Main reason i have the bike down. And to repaint the engine.

 

Add to it-
perhaps lose guides to stem fit.

 

If your going into the heads make sure your machine shop replaces the guides and springs suitable for higher life cams..... Well worth the future investment....

 

If the heads are off, NOW is the time for a cam.
Depending on what cam-some are bolt in
The top of the guides need to be pruned off a little.
To me, it makes no sense to buy a "bolt in " as the better cam is the same money.

 

 

Absolutely!!!!!!! And don't worry, we'll find that 3hp....

 

If dropping a cam in drives one into the poor house ...how come the 500lbs of chrome does not?
If a 250 dollar cam breaks ya.......
Just sayin.

 

Does it use too much oil?,
you can find oil in the intake on plenty bikes that run OK, lack of ring seal will put more oil in the ports than valve seals, most people don't know because they never looked.