Early 1982 tappet block drain

Modify tappet blocks to drain

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Holtvintage
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Early 1982 tappet block drain

#1

Post by Holtvintage »

Has anyone out there modified a set of early 1982 tappet guide blocks to drain like a standard set? The (i think) 1981 and early 82 FLH blocks had a fitting in the tappet blocks and hose that ran to the base of the cylinders. My manual says that "some" oil drains into the bottom of the cylinder but the holes in the top of the guides just beneath the pushrod seal only drian to the fitting. No holes on the bottom of guide like on other years. I had to replace the OEM cylinders and I didn't want to tap and fit the new ones for the guide drains. Any ideas? Thanks
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Andygears
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#2

Post by Andygears »

Ain’t they the damnest thing? My friend had an ‘81 or ‘82 years ago that had those on an FX four speed. I had a ‘82 FXR five speed and it didn’t have them. Made no sense to me, another breather “improvement” by the factory that didn’t work, I guess. Ideas? Yep, drill thru into the open area and put an Allen plug in the side hole so they drain like normal.
Maybe someone else can give Harley’s explanation on what they were supposed to do.

Andygears
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#3

Post by RooDog »

Donny Peterson had an explanation for it, something that relates back to the MoCo's change to the valve guides that didn't work out quite as well as it should have, so they dreamed up this extra oil return drain paths through the lifter blocks to the cylinder bases. Now that at that time the Evolution engines were under development, why did the MoCo devote any time to F'in with the Shovelheads. And the cow pie, Maytag, tranny lids, another turd from the MoCo while they had the Fivers slated for release in 84 or 85.... Beats me....
....RooDog....
Holtvintage
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#4

Post by Holtvintage »

Here is what I came up with. If my lifters seize up or I have constant leaks from my pushrod covers I will try to update this.

I used one of the drain hole located at the cover base as a guide hole and drill through the base. To me it looks similar to a earlier tappet block design that drains into the base
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Mongrel505558
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#5

Post by Mongrel505558 »

I had those on my 81 Low Rider. Got rid of the hoses and plugged the holes when I changed to solids. I really don't think you need them.
Holtvintage
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#6

Post by Holtvintage »

I noticed that I had a leak on all 4 of the pushrod covers at the base. When i popped the clip and collapsed the cover i had (what i thought) a lot of oil being trapped in the cover. The bike has set for several days after being ran and I had about 2" of oil in the tube. I know it was that amount by the oil line left on the rod. All the OEM blocks that I've seen had drain holes that lead to cam chest. Has anyone seen a set that didn't have holes on the bottom of the block or drain hose to cylinders?
Holtvintage
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#7

Post by Holtvintage »

Oil line left on rod
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Holtvintage
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#8

Post by Holtvintage »

I reinstalled hydraulic lifters. Not sure if that would make a difference compared to solid lifters
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#9

Post by nifty »

Hi Holtvintage
Both blocks must be drilled the right way, i.e. both pushrods of each block drain through the same single hole to to gearcase.
The original pan & shovel blocks were drilled this way (very small hole), It looks like you drilled this way but a bit bigger , yes?
Moco later increased drill size
What concerns me is the possibility that installed plug may be blocking off one or more drains?
Or,
Hydraulic lifter inserts were originally a good tight fit in in follower body i.e. fairly oil tight but still removeable.
MoCo got slack, bigger clearance, oops put out a SB to glue the inserts in to eliminate lifter oil filling pushrod tubes, didn't work, that's when they drilled bigger drain holes.
There are a lot of aftermarket hydraulic units and cam followers made that are real loose, which also makes them clack from pushrod angularity, plus the lost oil is not available to refill the lifters.
Cheers
Nifty
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#10

Post by Holtvintage »

The hydro units are new and a good fit. Everything seems alright now. No leaks and the oil isn't building up in the cover. I was careful not to obstruct the drain with the plug/sealant. After i get some miles on it I will know for sure.
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#11

Post by Holtvintage »

The lifters are new Jims and new hydro units. After a little practice in patience I adjusted the pushrods to 8.25 flats and it eliminated any lifter noise.
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#12

Post by Holtvintage »

Updated. Pushrod tubes are sealing up nicely, but now I have a sumping issue when I try to start. I didn't have a sumping problem before the drain modification. Any ideas? Thanks
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#13

Post by Mongrel505558 »

Holtvintage wrote: Wed Jun 30, 2021 1:32 am Updated. Pushrod tubes are sealing up nicely, but now I have a sumping issue when I try to start. I didn't have a sumping problem before the drain modification. Any ideas? Thanks
My guess is your sumping issues are unrelated to your lifter draining. All the oil to your top end and lifters eventually ends up in your bottom end no matter the path.I don't usually believe in coincidences, but I don't see a relation here. Does it puke out the breather hose? Does it sump with the bike running or after it sits? Is oil returning to the tank?
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#14

Post by Holtvintage »

After sitting It comes out of breather hose at start up or turning over. It pumps out about 1/2 to 3/4 cup. Then quits. Oil is returning to tank.

I have gone through several heat cycles after the rebuild with no sumping. I agree with it hopefully just being a coincidence after the block modification but it is where my hands were last.
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Re: Early 1982 tappet block drain

#15

Post by Panacea »

Perhaps a bit of debris has found it's way to the check ball in your oil pump, that seems to be the most common source of sump oil...
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