Tappet block wear

[panmarkski]

Got a 61FLH I've had for 30 yrs. Installed a Jims#1029-53B Power Glide tappet block kit (with Jims tappets) about 3 yrs ago. The bike has under 1000 miles on the install.
2 weeks ago checking the oil level before a ride I noticed a "metallic" glitter. Long story short, I'm getting wear on the billet blocks that guides the roller, any thoughts.
Sent the blocks and tappets to Jims, they said all was good on their end.
Mark

[1950Panhead]

Stock cam or another?
Are Jims blocks steel or aluminum?
What happened to the original guides?
Jerry

[panmarkski]

Running an S&S 450s. JIMs blocks are billet alum. Got two sets of stock blocks, might go back to the stock ones

[kitabel]

"all was good on their end"

Translation: your check cleared.

[58flh]

I have always used the iron guides!, Seen trouble with the Alum. ones as you described. The trick to the irons is soften any sharp edges that look like they might frag or should I say chip off. I always do this & have no troubles.--& you can bet KIT was correct (your check cleared!).---Richie

[panmarkski]

you can bet KIT was correct (your check cleared!).---Richie

Exactly what I thought. Heard that about Jims from a few people after this problem. I'll be going back to the stock guides, I know have've lasted 50+ years.

[1950Panhead]

Looks like lubrication failure.
Not enough oil in the guides, the wilder the cam the more side thrust on the guide and wear.
The iron guides are tougher then aluminum.
Jerry

[panmarkski]

Looks like lubrication failure.
Not enough oil in the guides, the wilder the cam the more side thrust on the guide and wear.
The iron guides are tougher then aluminum.
Jerry

I'm getting plenty of lub, running an S&S pump with case mods. But true, iron is tougher than alum.

[kitabel]

My guess? The (expensive) 7075 aluminum wasn't properly heat-treated, but they'll never admit it.
They are incredibly arrogant people. I supplied an NOS pinion shaft to them for examination at their request, and they "forgot" to return it. When I called about this, I got a nice lecture about "don't bother us any more about making this old junk that no one wants".
Anyone else have trouble with their case race for the 4-speed transmission? Like the ID is many thousandths undersize, and impossible to re-size since it's hardened? Their response: "No, it isn't. [click]".

[George Greer]

My guess? The (expensive) 7075 aluminum wasn't properly heat-treated, but they'll never admit it.
They are incredibly arrogant people. I supplied an NOS pinion shaft to them for examination at their request, and they "forgot" to return it. When I called about this, I got a nice lecture about "don't bother us any more about making this old junk that no one wants".
Anyone else have trouble with their case race for the 4-speed transmission? Like the ID is many thousandths undersize, and impossible to re-size since it's hardened? Their response: "No, it isn't. [click]".

OK,

This post has for sure made up my mind..

I am not going to be using any of Jims products.

Period.

George

[Cotten]

...OK,

This post has for sure made up my mind..

I am not going to be using any of Jims products.

Period.

George

But I didn't get to tell my JIMS horror story.....

....Cotten

[panmarkski]

They accused me of using a "radical" rocker arm ratio, 1.5-1, said it should be ,1.43-1, I said no this is a Panhead, not a Shovel ??? So my trust in Jims is very low. Don't mind spending money on quality parts, but I've learned my lesson.

[George Greer]

...OK,

This post has for sure made up my mind..

I am not going to be using any of Jims products.

Period.

George

But I didn't get to tell my JIMS horror story.....

....Cotten

Cotten,

Please tell us a story!

I for one would like to hear it.

I'll close my eyes if I get too scared

George

[Cotten]

Once upon a time,

JIMS made me an inventory of overlength crankpins to my special order! They were a dedicated organization with products of the highest quality.

Then something happened to JIMS.
The company grew enormously.
They started flashy advertising.
They started getting "better ideas".

I didn't know the UL pinion shaft was off on three parameters until after I had the motor balanced, the cases and cylinders together, and in the chassis.

They claimed the miss-placed oil hole was on purpose, but didn't have a clue that the splines were too fat, and not long enough for the gears to engage.

Nor did they care.

....Cotten

[58flh]

I know Jims have putout quality parts for sometime!--But what I have read here is consistent with other stories I heard!-I think as Cotton said they exploded in size & its about Quantity not Quality anymore!--& what about Customer Relations? NONE!--I think they can produce quality stuff ,But thier QUALITY CONTROL Dept. Leaves much to be desired!---Richie