Blood, sweat, tears & beers . . .

I like the Blue Job, it works well. I would go with the SE gaskets. That is what I use on my Sporty and they work awesome. To clarify, you think that you have a leak at the head?? Oh, BTW, please extend a Happy Birthday to the Mrs...

Because the front pipe was so dramatically blued compared to the rear pipe I figure it has to be an exhaust leak at the gasket where the pipe joins the head. I'm using the crushed type and I'm told by some those are not too good. I'm thinking of replacing them with a set of James head gaskets made specially for shovels. About $18 a set. Johnny, I don't know if SE makes them for shovels.

I think the carb is about right as far as air to fuel ratio, otherwise both pipes would have blued about the same. The timing seems to be okay - the bike runs with no missing or decell popping. The solid lifters have been adjusted so I don't think it's the front exhaust valve causing the excessive bluing. Once I get the leak fixed I might try running the pipes without wrap for awhile and see how hot they get. I might be able to live with it. HRK, why paint the pipes before wrapping them?

And a happy b-day to mac the wife from the other end of NC...!

JoshBob, I am not so sure that the gaskets are really engine specific. Remember this, the ci of your shovel should be the same as mine and I am using the SE type gaskets. If I'm not mistaken, the shovel's exhaust ports are the same size as the sportsters exhaust ports so you should not have a problem.

Thanks, Johnny. I think I'll go with the James gaskets this time as they are specific to my engine. J&P says they are the best.

Guys, thanks for all the b-day greetings for my wife - she says if she could, she'd send you all some of her famous cookies. I'll eat 'em for you!

Oil pump came in yesterday (made in Taiwan - but it was free), but without the drive gear. Tattoo says he might have an S&S one laying around. I think it's going to be ticklish getting the key in the slot and then fitting the gear over that. Not much room.

Waiting on the crankshaft seal and the James exhaust pipe gaskets.

Discovered my old crankshaft seal isn't leaking at the rubber seal but at the outside metal to metal contact point. Next one I put in will have some permatex #1 on the metal flange.

I got some wheel bearing grease, that thick dark brown stuff. Thanks.

Just thought I'd mention that Abby's "Shovelhead Redemption" came in today's post. Can't wait till I get off work to start reading it.

Today is Hobgood's 9th annual Cotton Festival. We have vendors and live entertainment all day. Cotton is king around here! The powers that be are going to let me play 3 or 4 songs - I've only missed one in 9 years. Here's a pic of yers truly at last years hootenanny.

I don't think anyone video'd my segment of the show, but it went very well - didn't drop any lyrics and the vocals & guitar came through the sound system loud and clear. Some of the karaoke singers were good - I just don't think that qualifies them as "entertainers" though. It used to irk me that the festival organizers prefer them over a real musician; they get more time on stage. Doesn't bother me anymore, I just go up and deliver the goods and have a good time.

I've played music in all kinds of venues and bands since the mid 60's. I was a real night owl during most of those years - it was how I met Mac in 1980 in California. I still practice and play and sometimes go out and play for the folks in rest homes or do gospel sets for churches around here.