tappet block oil lines

[ironsled]

Can I remove the lines going from the tappet block to the cylinder base  without drilling out anything  just plug them up those lines are low pressure vapor  what do you think  the oil vapor would just flow back down to the crank case??

[Ohio HD]

Best as I can remember it was only 1981 bikes. And also best as I remember you have to pull the jugs to drill them to allow oil to return to the crankcase instead of the cam chest by those hoses. I'd leave them alone unless you're planning on pulling it down for something else.

[Ohio HD]

So now my curiosity overwhelms my memory from back then. Below are the cylinder and piston parts numbers for the early 81 to late 82 Shovel 80" motors. I can't remember which group is the spread with the external oil lines. I also can't remember for sure if the cylinders needed drilled, or it's just the cylinder base gasket that needs changed to one with a drain hole. In any event the top end comes off. 

Scott may be along in the morning, he knows for sure.


16494-80A front cylinder with piston E81 to L82 FLH 80"
16508-81  front cylinder with piston L81 to E82 FLH 80"

16499-80A rear cylinder with piston E81 to L82 FLH 80"
16509-81  rear cylinder with piston L81 to E82 FLH 80"


Added: It has to be the L81 to E82 motors. This occurred in a very short span of production, they quit because it caused other issues with pistons overheating.

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[ironsled]

thanks guys  need more info

[guppymech]

thanks guys  need more info

Do your cylinders have the oil drain hole in the piston bore like other Shovels.

[Burnout]

That hose setup is for external head drains I believe.
No effect on rocker arms or lifter setup.

[guppymech]

After some reading, the MoCo was trying to reduce Shovelhead oil consumption and for a short time 81-E82 they ran the top end drain oil through the external lines to the lifter blocks and then to the gearcase.  Those engines had no oil drain holes in the bottom of the cyclinder bore like other shovels which drained top end oil into the flywheel cavity.