My first panhead

[dukekleman]

IMG_20251124_162219715.jpgBob inside cam bushing and area around it look okay.

As Bob stated, no cracks around the crankcase cam bearing boss area is a very good sign.
The inner cam bearing bushing thrust face shows definite signs of wear.
With that being said, the I.D should be measured X &Y and compared to the camshaft you'll use in the build. It is likely the tolerances are out of specification.

Duke Kleman

[echambers]

Yes plans are to replace both cam bushings and pinion bushing. have read that line reaming is needed have also read that it's not. What's the opinion here?

[dukekleman]

Ed,

The only way to insure that things are correct and held parallel are to line ream them.
This way the components being used with one another are correctly matched in the end, which is what matters.

Special fixtures can be produced based off OEM Engineering prints or very precise coordinate measuring equipment used to measure known good factory components.
Either way it is expensive and time consuming to create.

This leaves line reaming the most cost effective and efficient way to insure alignment and final fitment in my opinion.

Hope this helps,

Duke Kleman

[echambers]

Still trying to unravel this. Please note the numbers on the left side case I'm thinking it's a seventy and up shovel? Just a reminder of the VIN number was a state assigned number and has no indication of manufactured year, the right case half is I think a 49 pan. Once again "I think" flywheels are '70s but the pinion shaft I've been told is a 54 to 57. IMG_20251205_131508568.jpgthanks for any information IMG_20251205_105213491.jpg

[Speeding Big Twin]

In September I said I didn’t know if the left case was Harley or AM and I asked about other markings. B827 is one of the markings I was asking about and it suggests the left case is H-D. The characters are consistent with other examples I’ve seen. The B is one of at least two types used and they were both sans serif. The 8 looks normal. The 2 and 7 are sans serif. The earliest I’ve seen that form of ID on a Shovel crankcase is on 1975 models. B827 would also have been on the R-H case that your left case was originally matched with at the factory and the ID would have been recorded there for future reference.

Another question I asked in September was does the left case have a crankcase production number (CPN) but you weren’t able to see any numbers so I posted a partial photo of a 1970 CPN to demonstrate where to look. Here’s a partial photo of a 1975 CPN. Does your left case have any markings in this area? Photo? If no markings is there any sign that something was removed? Photo?








As of 1970 models the H-D Big Twin left case became an alternator style and the casting number changed from 24541 55 to 24541-70. At some later stage it became 24541–70B but I don’t know for certain when that happened.
Eric

[echambers]

IMG_20251206_094301066~2.jpg IMG_20251206_094333666.jpg IMG_20251206_094426492~2.jpg I've only recently been able to roll these pieces around and really have a look at them since splitting the case. I'm not finding any numbers other than the ones I recently posted of the left case also not seeing any indication of numbers being removed. Did notice the area that has been machined out at the bottom of the rear mount it continues across to the right case rear mount. That doesn't look factory but I don't know. Eric thanks for your continued interest.

[dukekleman]

Ed,

The left side crankcase image, you posted above with the green circle highlighted area, is a factory machining process they performed on crankcases.

Hope this helps,

Duke Kleman

[echambers]

That's good to know. Thanks Duke

[Speeding Big Twin]

Ed, on top of your left case am I looking at the letter H? Or another character? Or maybe just a scratch mark?
Eric

[echambers]

Just a scratch.

[Speeding Big Twin]

Thanks Ed.
Eric