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Primary case leaks

Well- - - This is really nuts! I checked the cases for cracks- - none
The bolts are the same length- - - I torqued them according to the shop book- - and in sequence. Sealant was applied- - - new lock tabs- - - checked for leakage from other sources- - none. Put a filter on the breather just to see if it would get soaked- - nope.
Yup----darn thing is like an old dog----leaves a puddle.

After I had r/r the thing a couple of days ago, I let it sit to cure the sealant. Yesterday I went for a ride and lo and behold, when I parked in the garage and came back- - -

IT IS LEAKING!!

Checked with other guys in my area last night and they have no ideas other than take it to HD and spend several hundred bucks. My God, I can build T-Buckets and 500 HP small block chevy engines and I can't figure this one out? Ahhhhh- - - - - -

So it will come apart today and I will check the bolt holes for debris and put another set of seals into the casing. Wish me luck?

Jon
 
Are you absolutley sure it is primary oil that is dripping
have you had the inner primary off it can leak from the bolt holes that attatch it to the gearbox
is there any trace of oil on the front pully

Brian
 
:bigsmiley8:Hey guys!!

Upon tearing down this thing again, I foumd the mainshaft sprocket was loose!! Hmmm- - upon futher looking--the seal and stuff behind it was like a sieve. Obtained another seal-spacer and O-ring. Had to order the sprocket from J&P cause the HD house was a litle on the high side.

I had never thought to check the sprocket to see if it was tight! Dummy- - -
It was sorta chewed up at the very ends of the splines where the belt doesn't get near, but I ordered one anyway. When I bought this thing, it had something like 27000 miles.
Have one long trip on it and lots of town scooting. Now has 42500. Not bad I suppose for running around town for 4 years. I really do appreciate the in-put from all and now checking the mainshaft sprocket is on the list of things to check. It really is easy to do. Just do it!


Thanks again- - -
 
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If you are that far in it may also be worth replacing the mainshaft oil seal as it can also spring a leak the one on the shaft that goes through the main drive gear
i drilled a small hole in the metal part of the seal and put in a self tapping screw which i was able to pull on to pop the seal out but first i had to remove the the bearing race from the shaft
i also found wear on the large nut that holds the pulley on and replaced it and the locking plate

Brian
 
Hi Brian,

That I did. I replaced all the stuff, the "O" ring, spacer as well as the seal. I've also got a BDL pulley coming in as well. Oughta be here by Friday. Pulley comes with the locking plate and nut. So right now, we're looking at bobbing the rear fender! This thing is just like my last 1940 Ford---never a dull moment and there is always something to mess with!! So are you really in Scotland? I'm in TEXAS!!

Caio Brian- - -
 
the seal i was thinking about is a wee seal that goes between the 2 shafts as the shaft the clutch is on sits inside the shaft that the pulley is on and that can pick up dirt as it is in the open
Aye I'm in Scotland and hope to spend most of the rest of my life here
however i did travel the world with the British army i was in a Scottish infantry regiment for 25 years and have been back in my home area for 13 years

here is a link to a thread i have running i have some photos of my home area
My Home Area - Harley Davidson Community

Brian
 
Get some flourescent dye, like used in air conditioner systems, (they have it for oil too) and then use a black light and find where the oil is ACTUALLY coming from. It cost a few bucks but is way better than pulling it down again. I did this to find a leaking tranny output seal, worked fine, a nice line of flourescent yellow running from the bottom of the seal.
 
Hylomar is my sealant of choice although these days i dont use a lot of it however in 1 or 2 places on the bikes there is a wee bit my father used it and said if it was good enough for rolls royce it was good enough for him he taught me a lot of worthwhile stuff and i still use some of his tools

Brian
 
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