Cracked evo case - need advice/opinions
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 13
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From: VT
Cracked evo case - need advice/opinions
Disclaimer: Pics are not mine...only using bc they are identical to the crack in the said case
I was able to track down a "good deal" on an 85 FXR....or so we thought. As we were taking the air cleaner and carb off to freshen up we found a serious crack in the case.
The crack is pretty bad stemming from the rear left case stud then runs just like the one pictured with the white case. Essentially the same crack. After reading up on this...seems like a somewhat common problem with EVOS Now obviously It's a lost cause case wise but I am wondering how long something like this will hold up. It is not leaking any oil whatsoever. on a tight budget so a new evo is not an option. As far as buying new cases go for a complete swap....it seems pretty extensive. With essentially zero mechanical experience in that regard and On top of tracking down a manual, new tools, new cases and complete gasket kit ect it doesnt seem like a viable option at this point.
.....if the crack is cleaned and reinforced with JB weld will it hold up? Anybody have any luck with this. Obviously this is less than ideal and there is no solid answer but the fact that is not leaking any oil seems like with a little support from some JB it will be just fine. I would think the studs and everything else would keep the cases intact and it would only chunk off in a V like i've heard about when the heads were removed. Any insight and personal experience would be greatly appreciated. What's the worst case?
I was able to track down a "good deal" on an 85 FXR....or so we thought. As we were taking the air cleaner and carb off to freshen up we found a serious crack in the case.
The crack is pretty bad stemming from the rear left case stud then runs just like the one pictured with the white case. Essentially the same crack. After reading up on this...seems like a somewhat common problem with EVOS Now obviously It's a lost cause case wise but I am wondering how long something like this will hold up. It is not leaking any oil whatsoever. on a tight budget so a new evo is not an option. As far as buying new cases go for a complete swap....it seems pretty extensive. With essentially zero mechanical experience in that regard and On top of tracking down a manual, new tools, new cases and complete gasket kit ect it doesnt seem like a viable option at this point.
.....if the crack is cleaned and reinforced with JB weld will it hold up? Anybody have any luck with this. Obviously this is less than ideal and there is no solid answer but the fact that is not leaking any oil seems like with a little support from some JB it will be just fine. I would think the studs and everything else would keep the cases intact and it would only chunk off in a V like i've heard about when the heads were removed. Any insight and personal experience would be greatly appreciated. What's the worst case?
Last edited by *kingpin*; Jan 21, 2015 at 12:26 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,081
Likes: 2,159
From: Ohio
Oh I can't wait to see which Evo members get named to the pic above.
Ya, looks like the death crack. Run it and start saving some money up or a cheap used Evo and build while you milk the life out of the pictured motor or a new case. If it was up to me a 127" or a smaller 124" would be a target
Ya, looks like the death crack. Run it and start saving some money up or a cheap used Evo and build while you milk the life out of the pictured motor or a new case. If it was up to me a 127" or a smaller 124" would be a target
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Good question! Early Evo cases are reputed to be weak in a few areas. Looking at those photos there is not a great deal of casting around the stud holes and it is easy to imagine that clumsy handiwork by a PO has strained the metal.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
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From: Houston, TX
A friend of mine who is a member here, who is a big evo nut along with his dad, had a set of cases out of n 89 softail that cracked in a very similar way, but it was much more catastrophic. When you pulled the cracked piece off you can see a false oil hole that goes to nowhere. His and his dad's theory is that there is unnecessary pressure build up at this location causing the cases to crack there. Later evo cases have no such oil hole.
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They always fracture on the 90* corner in back of the r/tappet block.
365-T6 aluminum S&S cases, and be done with it, as welding is not an option.
Been there 20 years ago.
Those can be stripped and the same VIN can be machined into a new set from HD. The newer cases are better, but NOT 356 aluminum.
Scott
365-T6 aluminum S&S cases, and be done with it, as welding is not an option.
Been there 20 years ago.
Those can be stripped and the same VIN can be machined into a new set from HD. The newer cases are better, but NOT 356 aluminum.
Scott
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They always fracture on the 90* corner in back of the r/tappet block.
365-T6 aluminum S&S cases, and be done with it, as welding is not an option.
Been there 20 years ago.
Those can be stripped and the same VIN can be machined into a new set from HD. The newer cases are better, but NOT 356 aluminum.
Scott
365-T6 aluminum S&S cases, and be done with it, as welding is not an option.
Been there 20 years ago.
Those can be stripped and the same VIN can be machined into a new set from HD. The newer cases are better, but NOT 356 aluminum.
Scott
