Rebuilt '68 Harley expectations?..?.

sp_gilligan

Hello gang, my first rebuild is completed and i guess i did okay.... Please comfirm.

Break In plan and observations.

My first couple of gallons are heavily mixed with oil, about 2 1/4 oz. 2-cycle oil per gallon.

Close, but not as fast as it used to be, is this normal at break in with that much oil?

Short running time, during break in, running it up the street and back, about 3 minutes or so....

My concern is how hot it seems to be on muffler and cylinder head. If you spit on it, it boils off immediately... Is this normal after short running times during break in? I would hate to have gone through all that work and lock up the engine again.

Any advice or confirmation will be greatly appreciated.

BGW

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sp_gilligan

.....Compression with warm engine is 110 psi reverse and 110 psi forward.

tew45

I'm happy with 90# compression so yours sounds high but I haven't seen it all. The muffler does get very hot and I have installed a heat shield over the muffler on some carts to combat high heat. I have used about 2 ounces per gallon during break in but if the spark plug will handle it that is fine. Your rings sound like they are already seated well. Did you set the ring gap when they were installed? Timing will cause excessive heat and slow running (in one direction) but it sounds like your timing is probably good. Check your compression gauge to assure accuracy.

sp_gilligan

Thanks Tew, what do you mean by set the ring gap? All i did with the rings is make sure the ring opening was where the piston notch was... Will the high oil mixture that I am using, reduce speed? It is only going about 9 mph.

tew45

If you put the ring only in the cylinder and push the ring down about 1/3 way in the cylinder then use a feeler gauge check the gap in the ring. The ring gap should be .007 to .017 inch. This allows for ring expansion when heating up. I have had a very few but some problems of no ring gap with cylinders made in India.
The mixture you are using should not cause speed reduction or very little if any. If your engine is right, speed reduction is sometimes caused by the clutch not expanding as it should. Your compression seems to be unusually high for the HD engine but gauges can be misread or inaccurate. Did you read the manual about how to install the top end? It probably is easier to understand than I am.

sp_gilligan

Thanks Tew, no I did not check the ring gaps. I was just thrilled I got them on the piston and in the cylinder without breaking any :). As for the clutch, what can I do to ensure it is expanding as it should?

tew45

That is a tall order to troubleshoot remotely but I would go over the manual carefully and inspect the belt and clutch surface. Jack up one wheel and run the cart while watching the clutches in action and see if they are working as expected. The engine may not be reaching full RPM.

Craigs carts

I think i'd be checking the ring gap. I've been doing alot of filing on rings lately to get my ring gap correct.

chuckbaynham

I replaced my piston and cylinder last year with a kit. I had to file the rings as well to get proper ring end gap. Good luck!

sp_gilligan

Compression when i removed muffler is about 94..... Sounds like muffler could use bbq?.... As far as filing ring gaps, would'nt there be an issue with my comression if ring gaps were off? Can you tell i really do not want to mess with the piston rings? :)