Suggestions while dissassembled

[motor mitch]

My 1981 SH has leaked oil since day 1 of me having it. I've replace the cam chain tensioner the head gasket but I'm still leaking oil. I've finally decided to remove the engine and replace all gaskets and 0-rings I can find that may be the culprit. While the engine is out, I'm replacing my carb jets with dynojets, painting my gas tank and side panels and fitting my bike with a vetter fairing, saddlebags, and a trunk. I also plan to do the second gear fix while the engine is open. I would love to hear any suggestions for modifications or tips and tricks for when I pull my engine out and open it up or anything else for that matter. Thanks

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Mitch,

You didn't say WHERE you were seeing the leaking?? Aside from the CCT, the valve cover is one of the more common places because of it's intricate design, lots of bends and such. Instead of using gaskets....many folks have gone with just Threebond type sealant in lieu of actual gaskets for most of them..HEAD GASKET excluded of course. There's also an O-ring around the oil galley plug on the right side under the ALT cover...held in place by the ALT cover, so do NOT run the engine with the cover off or you'll have a carport full of 3 quarts of oil very fast!!

Also the crankshaft seals can leak, they can be replaced without splitting the cases. There's a pair of O-rings under the bearing cap just in front of the starter motor that can leak. The upper engine oil supply pipe and washer can be a source as well. The oil drain bolt/washer, the oil filter cup and O-ring, the tranny pan.

Also, folks will sometimes overfill the engine because of using the site glass while on the side stand and not the centerstand, and then have oil blowout from the vent tube.

T.C.

[LoHo]

My two favorites are:
1- Not tightening the oil feed banjo at the back of the engine so that oil flows down the fins and off the front, hiding the true origin; and
2- Leaking around those two rubber plugs on the cam cover, keeping ones right knee well lubricated.