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I just purchased a ‘77 shovel motor and frame with the intention of starting a new build. Most of my experience with engine stuff has been upgrades on working motors, so I’m less familiar with building a motor from scratch (so to speak). Anyway, the motor came to me looking to be assembled, but not really. No oil pump, lifters, or rocker box internals. The heads had been blasted and just bolted back on. They looked good. Cylinders and pistons look old, but no damage. Opening up the cam chest I found an Andrews A cam (cool) but with a broken tooth on the gear (not cool). And that the cam cover is cracked on the inside where the cam support bushing sits. Really not digging this motor so far...
So on my list now is the complete top end, and cam. Oh yeah, I need an oil pump too.
I’m hoping, however, that the cases and crank are OK. I found a repair sealed with silicone on the left side case... see photo. Does anyone know what this might have been? Any suggestions on other things to look out for at this stage?
the compression on those pistons is at least 10 to 1 throw them away - once they are off the rods the lower unit test is take the front rod and see how much twist in a circle you can move it a little is ok then try the rear rod if it turns in a circle at ALL the lower unit is shot - both rods will have side to side around the same amount maybe
the breather valve hole looks scored a bit - run your finger in the bore if you can feel what you see it might need to be re bored < reason oil pump is missing it was ground up as well
the glue on the left front engine case remove it totally see if any damage is on the blocks stator wire holder screw holes < are they stripped < picture the cleaned area to know
throw the cam cover away its junk - the A cam is a dud the A2 is all around drivability cam - --------- that's a start do this and lets see what that gives us
Any suggestions on other things to look out for at this stage?
Inside the gear compartment for a 77 Shovel there would normally be a crankcase production number—for example, 177 012 123. But that area of your case looks like it has been machined.
I see an engine number in one of your other photos but could you post a clearer picture of it please.
Under the left case is there a crankcase production number? It may be near the outer edge and somewhat toward the front.
What does the frame number look like? Thanks.
Eric
Inside the gear compartment for a 77 Shovel there would normally be a crankcase production number—for example, 177 012 123. But that area of your case looks like it has been machined.
I see an engine number in one of your other photos but could you post a clearer picture of it please.
Under the left case is there a crankcase production number? It may be near the outer edge and somewhat toward the front.
What does the frame number look like? Thanks.
Eric
Saw that too did you ? Looked rather straight & flat in that area to be a raw casting still, look close at the big hole just right of the bolt hole on the case up there, think I see weld and if so.......
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Mar 26, 2020 at 10:10 PM.
Inside the gear compartment for a 77 Shovel there would normally be a crankcase production number—for example, 177 012 123. But that area of your case looks like it has been machined.
I see an engine number in one of your other photos but could you post a clearer picture of it please.
Under the left case is there a crankcase production number? It may be near the outer edge and somewhat toward the front.
What does the frame number look like? Thanks.
Eric
Only number I've got is the VIN on the top of the right case - 2A13419H7 - which I get 1977 FLH from. I looked all around the cases, no other numbers to be found...
I don't have the frame, just the motor.
unless this thing was really cheap what are your plans and what do think going forward
Unfortunately it wasn't really cheap... but I bought it knowing it would need some work. Clearly it needs a lot, more than I was hoping. My plan is to get it running for a chopper I'm working on.
I took the pistons off today and checked the play in the rods - front has a bit of up and down movement, rear does not. So I'm going to hope that the crank is OK and run it as is.
I don't want to split/repair the cases, I don't want to invest that kind of money in this motor. So I'm thinking I will roll the dice on that silicone repair and hope it doesn't leak. I'm going to run an open belt primary, so I'm not so concerned about the stator plug screws.
Hate to be the bearer of bad news but can you get you money back on this deal? I'm not an expert but I've been around enough to call foul on those numbers, that case has been rewelded and stamped over.
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‘77 Shovel - Engine teardown
