Oil question

[otis71]

Check gasket thickness also. James replacements are way too thick at .010.

[otis71]

I agree with T Cotton about aftermarket solids. I recently dealt with and posted the same problem on a 60FLH. I only had solid lifter parts when I assembled the motor. Oil pressure would drop to 0 psi after running 20 minutes. Scared up some parts at Davenport for hydraulics and it now never runs lower than 5psi when hot. I never had noise though.

[T. Cotten]

There was a great variety of solid replacements for hydraulics, Freeman,...

Not only aluminum pushrods instead of the more desireable steel, but various "slugs" and adjustors that replace the hydraulic unit were sold over the years, and care must be taken to assure the pushrods match the lifter replacements:

LFTRCUPS.jpg
(Early OEM on left..)

LIFTERS.jpg
(Left to right: Early OEM tappet and pushrod with hydraulic (not shown) at top of pushrod;
An aluminum pushrod with the adjustor in the "slug";
An aluminum pushrod with the adjustor in the pushrod;
and the OEM hydraulic assembly with a steel pushrod.)

Colony produced quality 'slugs' for the late OEM pushrod, but other aftermarket replacements should be inspected closely:

SLUGWEAR.jpg
(Note the extreme differences in contact wear on a matched set!)

And please inspect the top of the pushrods as well; I have found Shovelhead replacements crammed into a Pan...

Looking forward to your observations,

....Cotten

[Freeman]

Beware of solid tappet replacement kits with aluminum pushrods, Freeman,...

Their thermal expansion is less than the cylinder, and will make noise if adjusted normally; They require to be as tight as possible without losing compression.

A quick search of "Harley-Davidson engine temperature chart" produces volumes of data. But even without a baseline, we can compare the motor to itself.

If one cylinder becomes hotter than the other quickly, it is certainly a clue.

....Cotten
PS: I took my pyrometer to the Davenport Meet to make comparisons, but everybody was riding golf carts.

I see. I need a further examination. Thank you very much.

[Freeman]

I run 60W in my 65 FLH and when hot at idle, very low pressure. I have good flow so I don't worry about the low pressure at idle.

My data needs to be checked again, thank you.

[T. Cotten]

solid tappets
Looks like I need to measure the temperature.
What is a reasonable temperature range?

Beware of solid tappet replacement kits with aluminum pushrods, Freeman,...

Their thermal expansion is less than the cylinder, and will make noise if adjusted normally; They require to be as tight as possible without losing compression.

A quick search of "Harley-Davidson engine temperature chart" produces volumes of data. But even without a baseline, we can compare the motor to itself.

If one cylinder becomes hotter than the other quickly, it is certainly a clue.

....Cotten
PS: I took my pyrometer to the Davenport Meet to make comparisons, but everybody was riding golf carts.

[craig (DE)]

I run 60W in my 65 FLH and when hot at idle, very low pressure. I have good flow so I don't worry about the low pressure at idle.

[Freeman]

Since oil is flowing, Freeman,..

We should seek other likely causes for over-heating and noise; Is one cylinder noticeably hotter than the other? (Infra-red thermometers are fun.)

Valve train noise can occur with moderate heat. Please tell us if it has solid or hydraulic tappets?

I now see your gauge is installed in the overhead oiler screen gallery, instead of upon the pump itself. But even upon the pump, it only tells you when the motor is warm.

....Cotten

solid tappets
Looks like I need to measure the temperature.
What is a reasonable temperature range?

[T. Cotten]

Since oil is flowing, Freeman,..

We should seek other likely causes for over-heating and noise; Is one cylinder noticeably hotter than the other? (Infra-red thermometers are fun.)

Valve train noise can occur with moderate heat. Please tell us if it has solid or hydraulic tappets?

I now see your gauge is installed in the overhead oiler screen gallery, instead of upon the pump itself. But even upon the pump, it only tells you when the motor is warm.

....Cotten

[ryan]

I run 60w in my 69 flh, but it never goes below 30psi hot.

[Freeman]

Can you observe oil returning to the tank, Freeman?

If there is flow, then there is a different cause for over-heating.

....Cotten

Yes, I can see it.Flowing

[T. Cotten]

Can you observe oil returning to the tank, Freeman?

If there is flow, then there is a different cause for over-heating.

....Cotten

[Freeman]

Pressure means resistance, Freeman...

As the motor warms, there is less resistance, thus more flow.

Little pressure is required, but flow is vital.

Thicker oil adds resistance, but useful for hot weather or severe duty.

....Cotten

Hello, cotten. Now the problem is that the engine heat decay is very serious, the engine noise is very loud, after the heat. This engine is now running at 600 miles.

[T. Cotten]

Pressure means resistance, Freeman...

As the motor warms, there is less resistance, thus more flow.

Little pressure is required, but flow is vital.

Thicker oil adds resistance, but useful for hot weather or severe duty.

....Cotten

[Freeman]

Ten minutes.