81 HD lower engine question

Dfresh · 01-30-2017, 11:58 AM

I'm in the process of replacing seals and bearings for the crank in my 81 HD. The question I have is what is acceptable play in the rod on the crank pin? I have checked radial play and that is fine it is the side to side play that concerns me. I have read many posts that state loose is normal but how lose is normal.

Thanks
Doug

raydhd · 01-30-2017, 01:08 PM

End play between crankshaft throws to connecting rod .010- .018. If I read the specs right. When I parted out my 82 someone with an earlier harley bought the whole crank unit just to get the connecting rod.

Dfresh · 01-30-2017, 03:43 PM

Thanks for the reply, I read the engine specs in the manual and that was the same conclusion I had. My issues is there is almost a 1/8" in side to side movement of the rod on the crank pin. How is this adjusted, do I need to press the pin further into the crank throws? It may be that the left side crank has had some movement in it as there is some scaring on the crank case but I had attributed this to needing bearings. I’m not sure if this is something I want to attempt myself or if I should send this out to a machine shop. If anyone else has had this issue how was it corrected?

raydhd · 01-30-2017, 07:27 PM

Mine was done by an old retired harley mechanic that the local harley bike dealer gave me his name.He did the bearings over on the crank and the cases.The crank set up is much like the bikes with pressing and truing.

Dfeehan · 01-30-2017, 08:30 PM

I took the crank to the shop at work and pressed the rod pin flush with the throws. I now have the correct side to side play. I'm going to reassemble the bottom end tomorrow hope everythibg goes well. Thanks for your input it was very helpful. No i need to decide if i shoud replace the floating flang on the primary clutch, the one that was on this cart shows substantial wear and from what I have read this will greatly effect performance. Thanks again
Doug

01-30-2017, 11:58 AM	#1
Dfresh Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 5	81 HD lower engine question I'm in the process of replacing seals and bearings for the crank in my 81 HD. The question I have is what is acceptable play in the rod on the crank pin? I have checked radial play and that is fine it is the side to side play that concerns me. I have read many posts that state loose is normal but how lose is normal. Thanks Doug
Dfresh Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 5

01-30-2017, 01:08 PM	#2
raydhd VC 460 CLONE GONE WILD Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Ray BY The Bay NJ Posts: 10,633	Re: 81 HD lower engine question End play between crankshaft throws to connecting rod .010- .018. If I read the specs right. When I parted out my 82 someone with an earlier harley bought the whole crank unit just to get the connecting rod.

01-30-2017, 03:43 PM	#3
Dfresh Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 5	Re: 81 HD lower engine question Thanks for the reply, I read the engine specs in the manual and that was the same conclusion I had. My issues is there is almost a 1/8" in side to side movement of the rod on the crank pin. How is this adjusted, do I need to press the pin further into the crank throws? It may be that the left side crank has had some movement in it as there is some scaring on the crank case but I had attributed this to needing bearings. I’m not sure if this is something I want to attempt myself or if I should send this out to a machine shop. If anyone else has had this issue how was it corrected?
Dfresh Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 5

01-30-2017, 07:27 PM	#4
raydhd VC 460 CLONE GONE WILD Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Ray BY The Bay NJ Posts: 10,633	Re: 81 HD lower engine question Mine was done by an old retired harley mechanic that the local harley bike dealer gave me his name.He did the bearings over on the crank and the cases.The crank set up is much like the bikes with pressing and truing.

01-30-2017, 08:30 PM	#5
Dfeehan Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 3	Re: 81 HD lower engine question I took the crank to the shop at work and pressed the rod pin flush with the throws. I now have the correct side to side play. I'm going to reassemble the bottom end tomorrow hope everythibg goes well. Thanks for your input it was very helpful. No i need to decide if i shoud replace the floating flang on the primary clutch, the one that was on this cart shows substantial wear and from what I have read this will greatly effect performance. Thanks again Doug
Dfeehan Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 3

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