Just got back my 53 pan from a full rebuild at the shop. Started it up and let it run for a while. First thing it had sumped on me, let it run to clear that problem then noticed oil around the exhuast port and now I see oil coming out of the tailpipe. It's puffing a little smoke and the plug looks very dark. Any thoughts? Thanks for all the help I get from everyone!
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If it's unburned oil dripping out the tail pipe, about the only thing that can cause that is a exhaust guide. you will need to remove the exhaust pipe and look at the guide, if you see oil leaking out the guide, or around the outside od the guide the head will need to come off. I have seen some problems with the guides being pounded out and the head damaged. the head will not seal around the new guide. the shop will have to remove the guide and install some kind of sealer. oep this helps.
53pan,
The first thing I would address is the wet sumping problem. Once that is fixed, I would continue with the break in period for the bike. With it being a fresh engine the rings have not seated and the wet sumping just made it harder for them to seat. They will probably seat themselves just fine once they are not drowning in oil. Do you have the drain plug on the low point/side of the left case? If you do, you can get that oil out of the crankcase before you start it again. If you have that plug, be VERY careful removing/installing it. You do not want to strip out the threads down there. You may want to replace the fouled spark plug, but I would try to clean it and reuse it.
Amen to fixing the oil-sump problem. The most likely source is the ball-check in top of the oil pump. (that is if you're still running the cast-iron pump). Even the smallest bit of trash between the ball check and seat will allow gravity to drain the entire oil tank to the crank case. Been there, done THAT!
If you are getting oil out of the front exhaust, from experiance I would pull the left front headbolt. \\; If you have oil on it, your head gasket blew at the oil return. \\; Oil gets sucked into the cylinder and blown out through the exhaust. \\; \\; Panheads have a problem with the headbolt inserts pulling out of the head creating an uneven surface. \\; If that is your problem you will have to have it lapped down level again. \\; \\; I had that problem on my 57.
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Thanks for all the great advice. I finally found out what the problem was after I took the top end down to a machinist that had a clue. The first "professional panhead machanic" screwed me and put a different year cylinder on the front of it. It had no oil return or compression because it was about 3/8" taller than other cylinder. It also had shovelhead pistions bored 10 over which in the panhead world is 60 over. They also have a longer wristpin to head distance which equalls no compression, \\; and with the cam it put in it, it broke both intake springs. Just got screwed big time. I am now learning all about panheads. Doing it all myself, have no money or trust for anyone else. \\;Any way after a new top end, cam and such it actually is starting to sound pretty good. Again Thanks for all the help, I am sure I will be back for more.
You learned an expensive lesson. \\; Most shops don't have a clue on the old motors. \\; They don't know an EL from and FL, inside oiler or outside. \\; I got screwed by a dealership 36 years ago and the bikes never been in another shop since.
Oil coming out of front exhuast?
