When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Max Headflow, this going to be my last build. The main ingredients are parts that I've had on the shelf for the last 35 or so years. And it will be matched to a 49 sidecar frame that I pieced together over the last twenty with the original intention of attaching to my 49EL. Did not do so because I could not afford all the components for the required and properly date-coded springer front end. And tho I have set of raked trees, those were not offered until the 1950 season. So, since the bike is just a bunch of different year parts, it will all work together.
K, at a crossroad here and trying to figure out how to "fix" the problem. Got the bottom end back. Finished getting the oil pump on the bottom end (that was a real headache in and of itself). Got the cam chest installed, put on the gear case cover only to find out that the end play is at .023". The smallest thrust washer I have measures out at .0505". Manual says cam gear end play needs to be .001-.005". Short of finding a shop that can grind down the thrust washer (as stated in the service manual), anyone know if the make undersized cam bearing thrust washers. I am looking at one that measures out at .018" to keep it in spec.
You could run a cometic cam cover gasket which is thicker and may bring you into that shim range or allow you more shim options. You would need to shim the breather gear too of course.
Seems odd to only have .023". I assume that is with the thrust lock plate and gasket in place.
I wonder if you could get a thicker gasket or next option might be to take material off the thrust portion of the cam bushing in the cover.
So, rookie error on my part. Was trying to measure cam gear end play with the pinion gear in place. Awoke at 0200 hours last night and realized it. Got up at 0600 hours to see the wife off to work and thought it couldn't be that simple...except it was. Pulled the pinion gear so the cam had "free" movement. Used a .0755" thrust washer. Gave me .003" end play which is within limits (.001-.005")
So, rookie error on my part. Was trying to measure cam gear end play with the pinion gear in place. Awoke at 0200 hours last night and realized it. Got up at 0600 hours to see the wife off to work and thought it couldn't be that simple...except it was. Pulled the pinion gear so the cam had "free" movement. Used a .0755" thrust washer. Gave me .003" end play which is within limits (.001-.005")
Interesting.. The pinion gear kept the cam from sliding.. Seems like the lash is a little tight..
So I was trying to finish up on the motor and buttoning up the rocker covers. Of course Murphy decided to intervene and two holes ended up stripping out (Pics), one of which is a blind hole.
Can I use a heli-coil repair kit?.
Will it pull out with 15 in/lbs of torque applied?
Will it last?
If not it means pulling the timer, the manifold and then pulling the front head to weld and redrill & tap the holes
...and I was browsing the web and another option is a time cert? Know nothing about them either. Better alternative than a heli-coil?
Last edited by panz4ever; Sep 2, 2025 at 07:46 PM.
I believe the helicoil size is 10-24. One important thing to ensure a good thread is a aluminum specific cutting fluid. Tapmagic Aluminum works real well.. WFO Larry recommended. Use it for both drilling and taping. Make sure to clean out the hole with brake clean or some other volatile solvent.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
