1958 FL Engine...

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George Greer
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1958 FL Engine...

#1

Post by George Greer »

Hi all...

Today I just got back from Holland picking up my newest charge to take care of.

1958 FL engine.

Once I get over the drive, I will take photos and post them so you guys can give me a heads up on what I got and tips and advice.

One thing that I do know.

Rear head, is a 50, the front head is unmarked.

George
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#2

Post by Bigincher »

Be sure to read the casting date code and not the forging number.....
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#3

Post by RUBONE »

George,
The heads marked -50 ended in '54 and were all plumber style heads. The next was a -55 which was closely followed by -56 which is what your '58 should have. However the markings are on the inside of the head under the pans so you will need to remove the pan to see it.
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#4

Post by kitabel »

http://www.victorylibrary.com/tech/panhead.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
George Greer
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#5

Post by George Greer »

Thanks for the link.

George
George Greer
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#6

Post by George Greer »

Got some pics.

Any info on the number 7 stamped into the rear mount? Both case halved are marked.

Or how about the number 5 on the left front???

Is the cam cover damage as bad as I am making it out to be in my head, or just a good welder to put it right?

Still, I am happy camper.

George
Attachments
IMG_0630 (Medium).JPG
IMG_0630 (Medium).JPG (70.05 KiB) Viewed 1812 times
IMG_0629 (Medium).JPG
IMG_0629 (Medium).JPG (76.39 KiB) Viewed 1812 times
IMG_0626 (Medium).JPG
IMG_0626 (Medium).JPG (63.45 KiB) Viewed 1812 times
IMG_0620 (Medium).JPG
IMG_0620 (Medium).JPG (72.51 KiB) Viewed 1812 times
jdpan
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#7

Post by jdpan »

Not sure about the 5 but I think I read somewhere that the 7 means FL... I think. Cam cover's a piece of cake, feel lucky that the little broken piece is still there..
https://www.hydra-glide.net/phpBB3/view ... hp?p=42429
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#8

Post by 58flh »

Looks like youre off to a good start--the cam-cover no biggie! I read that someone mentioned that the heads should have a 58 stamped, this is true--I own a 58flh & my heads are original to my cases!(WOW you never hear of these things anymore /but I got the motor more than 24yrs. ago now!. VERY-LUCKY) any way take your time -take it apart, i dont know if you are a wrench or not /but take pics. as you go & write shit down!!!!(it will help later). The stampings on your case-halves-are a good thing they match--somebody at sometime rebuilt that motor, & it hasnt been lost in any further separation, if there was another lower half separation. (GOOD-LUCK, Keep it upright! ) 58flh---sorry I made a mistake about the head stamp #s (56 for front & rear is correct) apologies
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#9

Post by Bigincher »

Great score...!
The general consensus is that the '7' stamp indicates the motor is a 74 cubic inch FL, as opposed to a 61-inch EL.
This has always seemed very strange to me on motors past 1952, which was the last year the EL was produced.............
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#10

Post by UPSROD »

A 58FLH motor would have H stamped on both halves instead
of 7.


Rod
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#11

Post by Bigincher »

George, can you show us a shot of the belly numbers...??
George Greer
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#12

Post by George Greer »

I have not taken that photo yet, but I will.

The weather's not as sunny as it was, and now rain, and more rain till Friday....but I will take more photos.

George
George Greer
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#13

Post by George Greer »

Other photos of the engine.

Comments very welcome.

George
Attachments
IMG_0634 (Medium).JPG
IMG_0634 (Medium).JPG (72.54 KiB) Viewed 1667 times
Both case halves have same numbers
Both case halves have same numbers
IMG_0637 (Medium).JPG (75.28 KiB) Viewed 1667 times
Front head, no numbers
Front head, no numbers
IMG_0636 (Medium).JPG (60.94 KiB) Viewed 1667 times
Rear head
Rear head
IMG_0635 (Medium).JPG (60.84 KiB) Viewed 1667 times
IMG_0631 (Medium).JPG
IMG_0631 (Medium).JPG (66.65 KiB) Viewed 1667 times
Bigincher
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#14

Post by Bigincher »

Belly numbers look good, Yes it's a '58.
Front head appears to be correct, rear head is a ..... 1953. Looks like it has an O-ring intake adaptor installed in place of the threaded nipple-- you can see the allen bolt in place of the rivet. Lot's of Helicoil's in the valve cover screw holes--- not neccesarily a bad thing, except maybe for directly over the intake port.... although some have been pushed through....
Intake manifold is correct, if it's cast aluminum. The same number is on the cast iron version, used on 1955-57 models.
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Re: 1958 FL Engine...

#15

Post by jdpan »

"Front head appears to be correct"

Curious on this one..... How can the front head be correct with no numbers on it? And the pushrod openings look totally wrong to me... Could it be some kinda aftermarket head? Did Harley ever produce heads with no casting dates?
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