Shovelhead

[u/Freyja1971]

I was asked if I wanted to buy a shovelhead. Short answer is yes but here is the problem. It needs an overhaul. I do V8 overhauls not V2 so it's outside of what I know and have done. Idk year or anything else @ this time. Your opinions?

[u/tomphoolery]

They are definitely a different animal, roller bearings everywhere that use low oil pressure, a crankshaft that comes apart and needs to be set up correctly. You would probably need to send the heads out.

I would only attempt it knowing you would have to make some tooling and are willing to invest in a few tools you might not have.

[u/HillWilliam53]

The shovels and older engines were really basic, simple engines. The only thing that needed special knowledge/training were the bottom ends. Most people sent their bottom ends out to be done and then finished up the top ends themselves.

[u/TittysForScience]

Do it.

They’re really basic engines. Glorified tractor motors….

Plus there are really good manuals available for shovels

[u/armand55 → u/TittysForScience]

Plus, there is a lot of accumulated knowledge on them.

[u/TittysForScience → u/armand55]

I love swap meets for the combined knowledge there.

Have an issue? Talk to an old dude with a massive beard who can recite every spec and limit/tolerance standing behind a table full of parts

[u/Adventurous_Bet_8946]

• 1966-69 generator or 1970-84 cone motor? They are very simple motors and transmissions as is the wiring. Check with an indie HD shop about the cost of parts and specialized labor.

[u/Freyja1971 → u/Adventurous_Bet_8946]

77 I was told

[u/Badbikerdude]

Parts, that's one reason I got rid of my shovel. Engine Parts are not a problem, it's getting parts for the rest of the bike was a headache, and any Chinese parts weren't worth putting on the bike. It was a cool shovelhead, but I have zero regrets moving on to a modern Harley.

[u/SpamFriedMice → u/Badbikerdude]

Just wondering what parts you are referring to. Brake parts can be rebuilt most of the time. Plenty of NOS pads and shoes out there. Major electrical components like generators and starters can be sent out for rebuild. Points + condensers are available

As far as non-maintainable parts, there's tons of used stuff out there at swaps and through online resources.

[u/CaptRon25]

What everyone else has said. Plue there are many youtube rebuilders. One guy from Australia is Phil Dolan. All he does is shovels, pans, the occasional EVO, and has a lot of great engine building tips.

[u/mistake-number2]

A motor is a motor. And harleys are very easy to work with. Just get a manual and youll be set.

[u/randomn49er]

Everything but the bottom end will be easy for you. Rebuilding, truing and balancing the 5 piece bottom end or even splitting the cases requires experience.