QuestionI saw you answer another question from an S&S owner, so I guess it's ok for me to ask too!
S&S Super Stock with only 6000 miles and suddenly the upper rear area of the rear jug (just under the head) is wet with oil.
This motor has, in my non-expert opinion, been running extremely hot since day one, and has had a bit of a "ping" if I accelerate too suddenly in top gear. I was hoping a better quality exhaust and re-jetting of the carb would take care of that, but perhaps the damage is already done?
Thanks!
AnswerLOL! I answered a SS/Harley question before? I must have been delirious....
From what I know about HD and clones, the basic design has built-in overheating factors. Pinging is a sign of too much spark timing, along with a lean fuel condition, too hot of a spark plug or just an overheated cylinder because it is out of the air stream... and it is an air-cooled engine!
Most likely the head gasket is cooked and the oil passageway seals that let the oil come coasting back to the crankcase have gotten heat fatigued and are failing. All that crankcase pressure against a weakened gasket/seal setup is a recipe for leaks and failure IMHO.
Pull the spark plug and see if it looks glazed and overheated at the tip. Probably it is and like you say, the damage is already done. Time to pull the heads, sort out any damage and then get it dyno'd properly, so that the spark timing, fuel ratios and other variables are all more in favor of cooler running and within the bounds of reasonable temperature controls.
My advice... Buy a Honda! LOL!
Bill MrHonda Silver
