oil pressure-do i have it?

luckee013 · #1 07-02-2008, 09:24 AM

73 xlh, finshed build, got&nbsp\\;it running, put 60lb gauge on rocker box-nothing registers. 6lbs being normal, i understand why. front rocker box gets extremely hot after 1-2 mins., but oil is not. changed to remote filter. some oil in filter, but not a lot. put oil line from center of filter to oil pump, correct? no oil light on bike, also tried gauge where pressure switch would be-still nothing. also cleaned check valve and spring. spring seems too long-manual says 1 15/64", this one is 1 3/4 plus. ok&nbsp\\;??? any help would be appreciated. thanks!

Horse13 · #2 07-02-2008, 09:35 AM

With only oil tank half full ( so it don't spill out everywhere) ..... start bike with oil cap off and see if oil returns. If not........then either
a - your oil lines are incorrectly hooked up
b - you have a kink in your line
c - your oil pump is dead
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also after market oil filters need to be run in the return line. Some "CAR" filters won't work as the anti-back-flow valve in them needs higher pressure than your Ironhead makes to flow.
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As far as the spring length goes...........I'll leave that to the valve spring experts to chime in.
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piniongear · #3 07-02-2008, 11:09 AM

Horse13 gave you the answer you needed to hear.

If oil is returning to the tank then the pump is good.
Another way of checking is to remove the oil return line at the top of the crankcase and see if it flows out. Messy way to do this though. The tank will tell you.

The Sportster is doing good to put out 6 lbs of oil pressure, that is the reason putting an oil gauge in the end of a rocker shaft is a very good waste of money.

The manual reads.....and I quote, 'Free length of a new check valve spring is approximately 1-15/64 inch.'
Well, how you can say approximately when you are talking about one-sixty fourths of an inch is beyond me.
In any case, your spring length is much too long by approx Â½ inch or more, so I suggest you buy a new one and install it.
This ball requires only enough pressure to keep it seated to prevent gravity flow of oil to the bottom end. The pump pressure lifts the ball off the seat allowing oil to flow to the engine.
Think about this.....do you want a longer, stronger spring pushing the ball against the seat? Short answer is no.

Oil filters?
I never used one on an XLCH. I prefer to change the oil on a regular basis instead of hanging more garbage on my bike.............pg

fergerburger · #4 07-02-2008, 01:30 PM

as for your line routing....the line that goes to the bottom of the pump is the feed line&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\; don't put anything between the tank and the input to the pump
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the fitting at the top of the case behind the tappet block is the return fromn the pump and this would go to the feed to the outer part of the filter not the middle
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the fitting behind the cam cover is the vent and that goes to the vent line on the tank
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i think you had the routing wrong
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if you had the filter in the line with the feed line you will not get flow
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Horse13 · #5 07-02-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: piniongear

Oil filters?
I never used one on an XLCH. I prefer to change the oil on a regular basis instead of hanging more garbage on my bike.............pg

Well.........to each their own.........but I removed the in tank filter and use the left motor mount type screw on filter...........it serves as an oil cooler too ( WORKS GREAT) and only use the HD spin on filters ( walmart sells em ..even) that have full free flow with NO ANTI-BACK FLOW diaphragm like car filters use. ( you can tell easily&nbsp\\;by blowing in the center hole)
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A "little bit" of extra junk..........but worth it.
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IMHO
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BTW maybe this helps too-&gt\\;
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bucaman · #6 07-03-2008, 11:31 AM

Where is the best place to put an Oil Pressure gauge?
After the sending unit?

Horse13 · #7 07-03-2008, 06:09 PM

I'd replace the dummy light with the oil pressure gauge.........coming from the same location. Which is right out of the oil pump end.
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That is.........if I wanted an oil pressure gauge. Also use a liquid filled gauge.
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luckee013 · #8 07-05-2008, 06:08 PM

ok,replaced the spring. no results (still nooil in crankcase). removed oil line from pump-nothing coming out of pump.&nbsp\\;shouldn't i be able to crank the engine without it running to see oil flowing out of pump? or let me ask this, is pump sucking oil from engine and then out or pumping it in? thanks again.

Horse13 · #9 07-05-2008, 08:11 PM

The diagram I posted answers the question as to oil flow.............LOOK AT IT!

piniongear · #10 07-05-2008, 08:42 PM

The very best place to put an oil pressure gauge is right back on the dealers shelf.

A Sportster only puts out about 6 psi of oil pressure and on a gauge that reads 0 to 60 you will never see the needle move after the engine has warmed up....................pg