SKOGDOG
One of the old ones.
Well, this post originally started as one that was to be about the chrome I finally added to my Bulldog Bagger. I finally broke down and got a set of wheels, and sent to MecLec the hand and foot controls. I also sent in the cam chest cover (the cone by the rear brake pedal).
Blacktopper and I got it pretty much done, then Mr. Murphy took a hand in things. The cam chest has a carrier bushing to support the far end of the camshaft, and when I removed it, the camshaft came out too. So then the lifters and pushrods all slid down into the space recently occupied by the cam.....I'm in my 70's, so you'd think I already know that gravity always wins.....can't put the lid back on that one, gents. This meant removal of the tops of the rocker boxes and loosening of the rockers arms, then replacing the lifters, re-adjusting the tappets, re-installing the cam, etc.
I had read Bigelk's (Kel's) 'tear down' post about fixing noisy tappets (mine were noisy, no doubt). Generally, the fix involves drilling the tappet housing to install Allen screws---seemed like an easy thing to do as long as it was torn down that far anyhow. For those of you who missed it, I copy/paste below a pic from Kel's thread to show what it is. Just drill holes and install Allen screws to stabilize the rocker arm rods. You only have to do one end of the rocker arm, the one that depresses the valve spring). If there is any play in the rod end at all, it is really loud. Runs OK, but is noisy. This apparently doesn't work for everyone, but it's easy to drill and tap for a 1/4" Allen.
Then I found out about the oil return gallery that is not readily visible,along itch yet another corrective experience re: Gravity. I found out about it by dropping an Allen screw....scared to death it tumbled into the return oil gallery down into the sump. A quick phone call to Mr. Sachs clarified that under no circumstance should I turn over the engine in any fashion until the Allen was recovered. This may include splitting the case.
Really?? I'm the guy who just has to have the chrome, eh? Crap!!
Well, I found it soon, still up towards the top, and was able to recover it with a magnet. Note to self: next time, stuff a rag in it!!
Below is a pic befor the inaugural ride to Parsons for lunch, resplendent with chrome, and much quieter lifters.


Blacktopper and I got it pretty much done, then Mr. Murphy took a hand in things. The cam chest has a carrier bushing to support the far end of the camshaft, and when I removed it, the camshaft came out too. So then the lifters and pushrods all slid down into the space recently occupied by the cam.....I'm in my 70's, so you'd think I already know that gravity always wins.....can't put the lid back on that one, gents. This meant removal of the tops of the rocker boxes and loosening of the rockers arms, then replacing the lifters, re-adjusting the tappets, re-installing the cam, etc.
I had read Bigelk's (Kel's) 'tear down' post about fixing noisy tappets (mine were noisy, no doubt). Generally, the fix involves drilling the tappet housing to install Allen screws---seemed like an easy thing to do as long as it was torn down that far anyhow. For those of you who missed it, I copy/paste below a pic from Kel's thread to show what it is. Just drill holes and install Allen screws to stabilize the rocker arm rods. You only have to do one end of the rocker arm, the one that depresses the valve spring). If there is any play in the rod end at all, it is really loud. Runs OK, but is noisy. This apparently doesn't work for everyone, but it's easy to drill and tap for a 1/4" Allen.
Then I found out about the oil return gallery that is not readily visible,along itch yet another corrective experience re: Gravity. I found out about it by dropping an Allen screw....scared to death it tumbled into the return oil gallery down into the sump. A quick phone call to Mr. Sachs clarified that under no circumstance should I turn over the engine in any fashion until the Allen was recovered. This may include splitting the case.
Really?? I'm the guy who just has to have the chrome, eh? Crap!!
Well, I found it soon, still up towards the top, and was able to recover it with a magnet. Note to self: next time, stuff a rag in it!!
Below is a pic befor the inaugural ride to Parsons for lunch, resplendent with chrome, and much quieter lifters.



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