I noticed a bit of weeping engine oil collecting at the lowest point of the case. It appeared to be coming from the nuts on the case studs on the forward most stud.
I checked the torque spec in the manual and it was listed at 12-15 ft/lbs. Since these studs go through the cases with a nut on either side, what harm will it do to bump the torque up to try to stop the weeping?

 

17 is the max in auto alloy transmissions - oil studs - bolts in alloy threads - but the lower studs are press fitted careful what your attempting - you can remove the nut and seal it re torque and see what happens

 

Increased torque has Never worked out to the good for me... Mostly bad things have happened...and never has it done one bit of intended good...

 

Caution noted, Just for clarification, the "studs" pictured are actually rods with threads on each end. These appear to go through the case halves.

 

On the one that's leaking - Use aluminum flat washers, new nuts, and ditch the lock washers. Apply Loctite 222 (low strength / purple) on the threads and torque to spec. If you can't source the 222, substitute 242 but use it sparingly.

 

# 5 studs are tapered and fit very snug

# 3 stud if its leaking look for a cracked mounting foot - not always but sometimes we see that

 

Hi Johhny, The mounting foot looks good on both halves but I will check again! I did not see your most recent post before posting the following.

Bear with me as I explain what's bugging me.......

Here is a pic from the HD manual of torque specs , look at crankcase stud nut torque spec.12-15 ft/lbs. These are the nuts on the studs (rods) that pass through the cases and the torque value shows 12-15. Figure 3-34 ( 2.3.4. and 5.) shows them clearly. None of these use a tapped hole into the case alloy yet they are listed as having a torque value as if they were. (as Johhny said less than 17).
Now look at the Figure 3-34 again, crankcase stud BOLT, shown as 1. and has a torque spec listed as 22-26 ft/lbs. These bolts ARE threaded into a tapped hole the case alloy yet have a torque spec of 22-26, far exceeding the absolute max torque of 17 for alloy.

I am making the case that these torque specs are actually switched in the HD manual. Agree...Disagree?

 

different engines shovels had - some use a 3/8 X 16 bolt left side top of the block - some use 2 -- 5/16 X 18 bolts same place as the 3/8 and in the rear left side under the mounting bolts

not everything read is for a home owner to understand - its a work SHOP manual for shop workers - we see all the changes and different things you know nothing about

 

Understood. My shovel has 5/16 bolts also, not the 3/8 as shown in the manual.
I'll never be a shop guy as my exposure to shovelheads is limited to the one I own
I appreciate your candor.

 

Any machinist's handbook... even google ...will tell you the torque on a Thru bolt at 5/16 or 3/8 or whatever, if you Look... Not rocket science, and not exclusive to H-D....Simply identify the fastener and Go...
Do Not confuse your own self...