Change 45 flathead to overhead valve engine
#11
03-11-2011, 06:58 AM
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#12
03-16-2011, 09:36 AM
People have been known to put a sportster top end on a W engine but to me is a waste and the bottom ends are not really strong enough. You would decrease the value A LOT! All so take a lot of machining. I would keep it like it is. I had a 1942 45 and I have been known to ride it from Macon, GA to Richmond Virginia and back. You just have to take it slow about 60 to 65 MPH depending on the motor sprocket you run. Yes the A in WLA stands for army but many of the WLA engines ended up in civilian bikes as there where many surplus engine after the war. Was cheaper to buy a surplus engine then build the one out of the bike.
Looks like your W has a latter front fender 49 and up. Harley s never came from the factory with a suicide clutch they had rocker clutch pedals. Suicide clutch pedal is like in a car or truck once you take your foot off the pedal the pedal comes up and engages the clutch.
Harley s last total lost oil system was in 1936 with the last VL. Yes later models did have a primary chain oilier and after oiling the primary chain oil went on the ground. Shovels up to the last ones had a rear chain oilier and would oil the rear chain then the oil goes on the ground. Did not work well as hot oil on a fast moving open chain would just sling off. Total lost oil system does not have a scavenger pump and does not pump any of the oil back to the oil tanks. W motors have a scavenger put on the bottom of the motor under the cam cover and the oil pump on the cam cover is a feed pump. VL and earlier did not have any scavenger pumps. You got from 750 to 1000 miles to a gallon of oil.
I have had 3 flatheads one 1934 VL, 1942 45 and a 1946u 74 all I built out of pieces. I have worked on many others. See pictures below.
This is not my 35 VLD but one I help build for a friend.
My 1942 I built out of pieces and rode as far as Richmond Virginia.
My 1946 U I built out of pieces been in 14 shows won 22 awards been in 3 magazines and one news paper. It was my daily rider for years and I have ridden it on 1,800 mile trips.
Looks like your W has a latter front fender 49 and up. Harley s never came from the factory with a suicide clutch they had rocker clutch pedals. Suicide clutch pedal is like in a car or truck once you take your foot off the pedal the pedal comes up and engages the clutch.
Harley s last total lost oil system was in 1936 with the last VL. Yes later models did have a primary chain oilier and after oiling the primary chain oil went on the ground. Shovels up to the last ones had a rear chain oilier and would oil the rear chain then the oil goes on the ground. Did not work well as hot oil on a fast moving open chain would just sling off. Total lost oil system does not have a scavenger pump and does not pump any of the oil back to the oil tanks. W motors have a scavenger put on the bottom of the motor under the cam cover and the oil pump on the cam cover is a feed pump. VL and earlier did not have any scavenger pumps. You got from 750 to 1000 miles to a gallon of oil.
I have had 3 flatheads one 1934 VL, 1942 45 and a 1946u 74 all I built out of pieces. I have worked on many others. See pictures below.
This is not my 35 VLD but one I help build for a friend.
My 1942 I built out of pieces and rode as far as Richmond Virginia.
My 1946 U I built out of pieces been in 14 shows won 22 awards been in 3 magazines and one news paper. It was my daily rider for years and I have ridden it on 1,800 mile trips.
#13
10-09-2011, 10:27 PM
Intermediate
The top speed for me on the highway is about 55-60. Is that about right for these old 45s? Yes
Also, it backfires during decelerations. Might be timing but I would suspect it is a manifold leak.
Looking at the distributer head from the top, turning clockwise advances timing, right? NO. Moving the timer clockwise retards the timing; counterclockwise, all the way against the stop, places the timing in the full advance position. Retarding the timer can be used for easier starting, but once she fires up make sure you advance it completely.
Also, it backfires during decelerations. Might be timing but I would suspect it is a manifold leak.
Looking at the distributer head from the top, turning clockwise advances timing, right? NO. Moving the timer clockwise retards the timing; counterclockwise, all the way against the stop, places the timing in the full advance position. Retarding the timer can be used for easier starting, but once she fires up make sure you advance it completely.
#14
10-10-2011, 09:31 AM
#15
03-29-2017, 10:14 PM
#16
09-18-2017, 05:27 PM
Intermediate
The top speed for me on the highway is about 55-60. Is that about right for these old 45s? Yes
Also, it backfires during decelerations. Might be timing but I would suspect it is a manifold leak.
Looking at the distributer head from the top, turning clockwise advances timing, right? NO. Moving the timer clockwise retards the timing; counterclockwise, all the way against the stop, places the timing in the full advance position. Retarding the timer can be used for easier starting, but once she fires up make sure you advance it completely.
Also, it backfires during decelerations. Might be timing but I would suspect it is a manifold leak.
Looking at the distributer head from the top, turning clockwise advances timing, right? NO. Moving the timer clockwise retards the timing; counterclockwise, all the way against the stop, places the timing in the full advance position. Retarding the timer can be used for easier starting, but once she fires up make sure you advance it completely.
Last edited by harleyjohn45; 09-18-2017 at 05:30 PM.
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