Cam seal still leaking . . .

. . . since the bike is down anyway, I took off the cam cover on the ol' shovel and also pulled the cam from the gearcase. For those of you who don't know, I've changed the seal twice. The one that came with the motor started leaking shortly after the break-in period was over. Found the cam bushing so beat up it has got to be replaced. Cam shaft is fairly worn, too, and I may have to replace it as well. As far as I can determine, all parts are original - 35 years old and they look it. "Rebuilder" did not replace worn cam bushing and God knows what else. $4500 for a "freshly rebuilt" motor - my ass!

Taking the cam & cover to Tattoo Tuesday for his opinion.

Seems every time time I look into this ol' motor, the more stuff I find needs fixing. I hate to think what I'll find in the bottom end if I go poking around in there. At the very least, I think the motor could have been balanced better than it was - if it ever was . . .

You got it all apart, might as well replace camshaft and bearing. 'probably pick up some performance in doing so. Cams do wear,plus the worn bushing add up to not giving the stock lift anymore. JMO. Leave the bottom end alone unless you can hear gremlins or have low oil pressure. Again JMO

Sorry to hear that Josh. I've had my share of being run around from Indy's in the past. At least you have a solid person in your buddy Tattoo.

I'm not working on any of my bikes right now, I don't have to, I don't have the time. For me its a chase to find the best dealership. That happens to be 1 1/2 hours away. There is one 10 miles away...no comment. Its worth the 1 1/2 hour ride to the other one.
Theres also one an hour away...no comment.

I'm hanging on to my 1983 just in case the modern technology gets the better of me (so far so good though) or when I retire money gets scarce. She's a kick and electric.

I have no plans on going into the bottom end unless something DRASTIC comes up! Got enough problems for now LOL. Funny how oil leaks can turn up other unforseen gremlins lurking inside.

That's why I say replace questionable parts now. Be done with it. Just bite the bullet. How many more times are you gonna take it appart?

If you are lookin at Replacing the cam, lookat a Crane cam for those old bikes.
If you replace the cams make sure you replace the lifters. New lifters on New cams.

FireBall® cams for Harley-Davidson® Shovelhead


http://www.cranecams.com/motorcycle/view.php?s_id=64

That's because there's usually a reason for the oil leak...which in your case(no pun intended) the worn cam bushing.....I'd also consider replacing the inner cam bearing...check that end of the cam for wear too....If you replace the cam...definitely replace inner cam bearing...

replace the bearing,cam & bushing.make sure the cam bushing is aligned with your case

How do I get the old inner bearing out?

With one of these....

Item # 320050...

84-99 Evo Engine

a little cheaper....

EVO Inner Cam Bearing Puller


or a blind puller...

The Evo pullers will work on the Shovel....same inner bearing... Torrington B138

see if your indy will borrow the tool to you

My opinion is take the whole bottom end and have it gone thru once and for all. If no parts need replacing it shouldn't cost much ($200-$300) to take it apart, inspect everything, douche it and reassemble. Have the cam alignment checked with the case while it's apart and also have the bearing and bushing installed too. You can put the top end together yourself. Otherwise you will be chasing and dreaming of Gremlins forever. :gah:

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

Joshbob, I agree with HRK 100%...No way a cam bushing would be worn out at 4000 miles,or have the other problems you had if it really was a rebuild engine....almost seems as if you got someones old core engine sold to you as "rebuilt"
Doesn't matter if the employee that did your engine is gone,it's the guy who's shingle is hanging above the door that's responsible to make it right,and it should be done at no cost to you....You paid $4000 for and engine and got a $1000-$1500 engine....The way I look at it he owes you $2500-$3000 in shovel head engine parts,not "I'll split the cost" of what should have been done in the first place.... JMHO

Here's a news flash . . . turns out that the guy who "rebuilt" my motor had a lot of returns coming back into the sellers shop. The seller fired him, but not before he did a number on my motor. Today, I emailed the seller and told him to take my entire motor back and either rebuild it properly, top to bottom, or exchange it for a shovel motor that has been done right.
I had the cam, inner bearing and bushing looked at by a machine shop and they said to replace EVERYTHING. Nearly $400 if I have it done myself. I thought, screw this crap. :rant:

Waiting for a reply . . .