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Shovelhead external oil drain?

7.1K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  Ea$y  
#1 ·
Then: I scored a swingarm frame and cases basically for free. I fought with the FL DMV for 4 months and now I have a titled 1979 FLH. (However, I am starting to think it would have been cheaper to buy a basket and rebuild than buy parts to piece together the entire bike!)

Now: Been collecting parts since then. So far, so good. Got a 4-speed ratchet top with kicker. Scored a pan swingarm. Picked up a Morris M5 that will eventually go to the good Dr Dano for a checkup. Scored 2 sets of 80" flywheels; 1 'runnable' and 1 needs rebuilt. From the same guy, I got a set of S&S 3 5/8" heads. (Guy said he builds stock stroke bottom end shovels with big bore jugs and heads all the time and prefers that setup.) Bike will be kick only WITH a swingarm.

Now the question: Below is a pic of the exhaust port of the rear head. The original drain is plugged off and the heads are drilled and tapped for external oil drain lines. I have never seen this before. I have looked through shovel threads and cannot see where this has been done on other bikes in any photos. I have seen external oil lines on rocker boxes but not the heads themselves. Am I setting myself up for disappointment or is this a solid setup?

Also, I am not sure I want have my cases machined to run the 3 5/8" jugs and heads. Should I let the 3 5/8" S&S heads go and look for a stock setup or say funk it and keep looking for some jugs?

I used the search feature and ended up with more questions than answers.

nobattfxr on Shovelhead valve guide seal an head Q: ...check that the oil drain hole at installed angle is not above the top of the guide. It's rather commonly higher, at installed angle, contributes to oil going thru the guide...
Rudehog on Exposed Push Rods: The oil has to drain from the heads back into the case thru the tubes.

Thought, opinions, suggestions...HELP PLEASE!

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#2 ·
The oil drains back down through the tubes on Evos not shov/pans, on the big bore motors, the drain gets modifide and the cases drilled, for the drag bikes, thats where you'll see the out side drain pipe, no extra holes drilled in the cases, means stronger cases for drag racing!
If you do then right, they will add a cutsom tuch to your build, and the big bore short stroke motor, 88" is one good motor combo......Good luck and keep us posted.......Roach.
 
#3 ·
thats an interesting location for the return ports..usually you see them on the spark plug side and as the good man who posted above me said less holes = stronger cases.not to mention why run your oil past the scortching hot cylinder wall??..run the return line to the primary return spot on the cases to avoid drilling new holes and the bonus is the return port has suction.You can do this if you run open primary or total loss.. the 3 5/8" bore motors are torque monsters you will enjoy the extra power!