I know, I know, it is only July but planning for winter work on my '86 FLST. Two concerns, first, leak from rear cylender base gasket, what gasket/cure do you think is best?
Second, was thinking of fitting Balance Masters to flywheel and sprocket, are they worth the expense/trouble?
The only other things I plan to do is hone the bores and fit new rings and re-grind valves and fit valve stem oil seals.
One other querie. Is an EV27 cam a HUGE worthwhile improvement?
I am not a racer type, do average mileage per year and not a whole lot of touring.
As the Celtic Tiger has emigrated from Ireland, costs are an issue and I am more interested in reliabialty and keeping the running costs down rather than flash....
Would'nt bother doing anything except I hate leaks.
Thanks for help

TC.

 

Fix what's broken, leave the rest alone. Hone and rings is advised if you pull the jugs off, but it is possible to leave the rings/piston in the jugs and remove the wrist pin. I've never done it that way, but a shop here does.

The EV1 I put in my 86 was a big improvement. The 86 OEM cam was kind of a dog. People like that EV27. I'd do the lifters too, if I were you. My bike had a bad lifter and cam lobe at around 50 or 60K (miles).

A modern metal base gasket with the silicone printing on it has worked for me. Some like the cometics.

 

Are the new H-D gaskets the "Print-o-Seal" type that you're talking about, Doc?

Also, when I do my base gaskets this winter, I'm using the Hayden Oil Fix to keep the oil in the drain passages away from the gaskets altogether. It comes with its own base gaskets, but I don't know what they are.

 

TC,

Hi from the UK. Cylinder base leaks are an early evo feature. Pretty well any replacement will fix it as later gaskets provide the cure. I used an EV27 in my Glide during its original incarnation and it gave worthwhile improvement. You're not going to get a HUGE improvement with only a cam!

 

X2 on Haydens Oil Fix. Just as a backup, I would also recommend using an upgraded gasket in conjuction with it. The included gaskets on my kit were nothing special.

Now, if you want your softie to run like a Harely should run:

Put a good three angle valve job into the heads, perhaps a mild 'street' porting if you like to run in the higher rpm ranges. Consider raising the compression ratio to 9.5 - 10 range. This, along with the next few recommendations, and a good dyno 'tune', should get you in the 'area' of 90 hp and 85 tq.

If you are running a stock cam, you will notice a huge difference with any upgrade. There are many good cams for Softails, depending on your riding style and other upgrades, so do your research. Swap out the bearing, and as noted, I'd consider doing the lifters at the same time. And upgrade the breather while you're in there. If you select a 'bolt in' cam, you can either reuse the stock pushrods or upgrade to adjustables (which will make disassembly easier in the future).

Of course a cam upgrade should be paired with exhaust and intake. Stock CV style carb (when properly tuned) will work fine with 80" EVO's. Install a free flowing air cleaner (I run the SE with K&N filter). Or modify the existing airbox for better flow. I'm a huge fan of ThunderHeader for EVO exhaust, even though I run SuperTrapp slipons. But there are many other options.

Consider an aftermarket iginition. There are a number of options, I run a Dyna 2000 in dual fire mode. You want to get the rpm limit up a bit higher for those few times you're runninng 'stop light to stop light'. My 80" EVO with EV27 cam, SE air cleaner, and 18 discs in the 'trapps, pulls like crazy from 2000 rpm up until the limiter kicks in at around 6000 rpm. And I can run the interstates for 14 hours at 75 mph, two up with luggage, and have ample passing 'oomph'. Plus get around 42-45 mpg. All with very little effect on longevity.

I have no experience with the balancers, so I can't comment on cost vs benefit. If you find the vibration of the solid mount engine to be uncomfortable, they may be a relief. Or they may be a waste of time/money.

 

forget the "balance masters",have the motor balanced.when ever we do a evo motor,we machine the cases to accept base O-rings like a twin cam.never had a leak

 

I don't know what HD is using today. I did mine about 1995 or so and used the ones my friend who owned the aftermarket shop/later dealership told me to use.

 

Any mild cam is a big improvement over EPA-mandated cam. I like the EV13. It makes power at a lower rpm than the 27 and does a good job of keeping oil temps even cooler than stock. I think it has helped my fuel mileage slightly (47-51).
I used James coated metal gaskets and the rear only lasted a few thousand miles longer than the crappy OEM gaskets. Next time I will try Cometic.

 

Thanks to all for info.
Should have said bike has straight thru pipes fitted wit Big City Thunder baffles,(no sound problems here yet), Super E carb and Scremin Eagle ignition module.
Bike runs fine except for oil leak which is more of a pain in butt than anything else as I hate leaks. So will not be splitting engine so no balanceing, that is why I asked about the Balancers.
Will probably go with the Haydens oil fix as it makes sense to me, but will take on board the James gasket suggestion.
Still undecided about cam, but that can be done anytime with little trouble.
Thanks again
TC.

 

I would recommend doing the cam the same time you do the base gaskets. If nothing else, this will save some $$$ by not having to purchase a new set of rocker box and other gaskets.