I'm investigating why the rear cylinder is touching the frame. I would guess it's not suppose to touch at this point. Any and all opinions/explanations/solutions would be greatly appreciated.

 

year of frame helps

year of engine block

block year tells the heads it has late shovels by the rocker covers -

no idea what year any of it is you never said

but in no way is that a never seen it before

 

I've heard from the grey-beards, never in an official Harley publication, that the early year panhead seat posts would be beaten at the factory to make them fit. Thought that was sorted by the time the wishbone went away in the 1950s. All hearsay and rumors which I love! No clue if it's true....

That clearance looks way too tight.

 

If i was thinking correctly i would have included that information.
Late 1979 FXEF, 80ci numbers match on frame and engine.

 

OK my 1980 FXB maybe 1/4" on the rocker cover and 1/16 on the cylinder fins.
Like the song says -"That's just the way it is".

 

yea that is not out of normal for that sort of machine deep into AMF and in trouble with employees at that point

but if you pull it adding a little space is what we do just so no influence exist between the engine and that frame tube

some are a lot worse then you have

 

If so fair chance she's bowed, try to take the front motor mount bolts out. That'll tell you if they are bound up or not.

 

Have you checked to see if the rear head is stock?

 

If nothing is malfunctioning and the engine is secure it's no big deal. Come eventual engine teardown time I'd mark the tight areas then visit them with an acetylene torch and a hammer.

 

Definitely more room on my 82 shovelhead, probably a half inch at least.

Regarding the AMF and employee issues was this a sloppy jig job with the frame or just drilled the mount plates wrong?