Okay, so I finally dove into this Shovelhead engine project I’d been putting off. Found one that wasn’t exactly pretty, but hey, a Shovel’s a Shovel, right? Figured it’d be a good learning experience. And boy, was it ever.
First Impressions and Immediate Headaches
Got it onto the bench, and the first thing I wanted to do was just see if it would even turn over properly, maybe even fire up for a second. Cleaned the plugs, checked for spark, dribbled some fuel in. And yeah, it coughed a bit. But straight away, even just trying to get it to sputter, I could feel the heat coming off it. These things are notorious for running hot, and I could see why. Not a lot of fins on those cylinders, you know? Like they were an afterthought.
Then, when it did catch for a moment, blue smoke. Lots of it. That classic sign. Knew right then I was in for some oil issues. It’s what everyone talks about with these old beasts – oil finding its way where it shouldn’t. Figured the top end was probably going to be a journey.
The Teardown: Getting My Hands Dirty
So, I started pulling it apart. It’s kinda amazing how straightforward these engines are, compared to the newer stuff. Big, chunky parts. But simple doesn’t always mean easy, especially when things are old and seized. Had a few
knuckle-busting moments, that’s for sure. Took the heads off, and yup, just as I suspected. Oil pooled up in there, looking like it had been seeping past the valve seals for ages, probably down the guides too. Made a right mess.
Here’s what I found myself dealing with, pretty much straight away:
- Caked-on carbon everywhere from burning oil.
- Valve guides that felt looser than a wizard’s sleeve.
- Gaskets that were more like old paper than sealing material.
Trying to Tackle the Gremlins
First, that heat. Not much you can do about the basic design, but I cleaned every single fin meticulously. Made sure the oil passages I could get to were clear. You read stories about how critical oil flow is, and with these, you believe it.
Then the oil burning. That was the main event. Pulled the valves, and yeah, the seals were shot. Some weren’t even really there anymore. The guides needed attention, definitely. So, that meant a trip to a machine shop, because that’s beyond my garage setup. That’s always a fun conversation, trying to explain you’re sinking money into an old Shovelhead. Some guys get it, some look at you like you’ve got three heads.
While waiting for head work, I cleaned everything else. Pistons, cylinders – the works. Found a broken ring on one piston too, just to add to the fun. Sourcing good quality Shovelhead parts, that’s another adventure. You can find cheap stuff, sure, but you hear the horror stories. So, I tried to be patient, find decent replacements. Lots of calling around, lots of comparing.
Small Wins and Lingering Doubts
Getting the heads back, all clean and with new guides and seals, that felt like a major step forward. Slowly started putting it all back together. Torquing everything down, triple-checking. It’s slow work. You drop a washer into the crankcase, and your whole afternoon is gone fishing it out.
There were days I’d just stare at it, wondering if it would ever run right, or if I was just polishing a… well, you know. You see these modern bikes, like those Milwaukee engines Harley makes now, and they just work. Start every time, no drama. And here I am, wrestling with this lump of iron that seems determined to leak from every seal.
But then, you get a section done, it looks right, it feels right, and you get that little spark of “yeah, this is gonna be cool.” It’s more than just an engine at that point; it’s a puzzle you’re slowly solving. A very oily, very heavy puzzle.
Still got a ways to go. Need to finish the top end assembly, then get it back in the frame, deal with the carb, the ignition. But seeing those clean heads on there, knowing the valves are sealing properly now, that’s a good feeling. It might still run hot, it might still weep a little oil – it’s a Shovelhead, after all. But hopefully, no more embarrassing blue smoke clouds. That’s the dream, anyway. We’ll see how it goes.
