| Author | Message | ||
     Clarry |
I say "possible" because I haven't done the work yet, much less tested the theory. I thought it might be a good idea to "run it by" you all. After trying to find a good place to install the XB-type PCV valves in my old-style rocker box covers, then trying to use an external PCV valve plumbed to the cover, I decided it would be simpler to just tap into the cover above the old Umbrella Valve and plug the old outlet. If I run the hoses to the bottom of a catch-can mounted up near the steering head, it might even self-drain the catch-can back into the rocker box, through the little drain hole near the Umbrella Valve, and back to the crankcase, whenever the engine is shut down. Whaddya think? | ||
| Mbsween |
Clarry, A nice cheap mod is to use the 2 piece XB rocker covers. I think it costs around 100.00 or so in parts, replacement is straighforward. I'm sure there's a link to Jose's page somewhere Here's the parts list he benefit of doing this is greatly improving the engine’s breathing ability and therefore reducing the amount of oil puking out of the heads, a subject near and dear to every Sportster/Buell owner. A side benefit is the “cool factor” of having new XB parts on your old tube frame Buell. Here are the parts that you will need: * 17605-00YB Rocker cover, front head $39 * 17642-02A Rocker cover, rear head $39 * 17606-00YA Grommet, Viton, Black $2.95 each (need 2) * 17607-00Y PCV Valve, $6.90 each (need 2) * 868A Hex Socket Button Head Screw, $4.75 each (need 2) This mod should get rid of most puking. Amnd it makes taking the rocker covers off much easier, only 2 pieces! Good luck matt | ||
| Whosbeenfartin |
I'm new to buell and harley engines, so maybe this is a dumb question, why not just use a breather filter, or similar, on my Kawasaki for example I have a line run to the highest point on the bike behind the steering head with a fuel filter as the breather in the line. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Has anybody used the exhaust mounted evacuation systems that are used on drag cars? They are plumbed into the collector and place a vacuum on the crankcase at higher rpm's. Joe | ||
| Djkaplan |
Except for the spooge return, your plan sounds feasible. The stuff ejected out of the breathers isn't stuff you want in your oil or crankcase - it's mainly water with an emulsified mixture of water, oil, and byproducts of combustion that make it past the rings. Don't do it, man. There have been a few members who just used the XB PCV valves in the stock two piece rocker covers and just eliminated the umbrella valves. There are pics with stories and everything in the archives. I don't see why you couldn't leave the umbrella valves in and plumb a breather fitting in the stock covers. If you do this, make sure you don't put it above the rockers, they need room to rock. Those exhaust evacuation systems you see on drag cars work great... at the drag strip. I think it would gunk up a street vehicles exhaust pretty good, maybe even letting some get on the rear tire. Whatever you do, I encourage you to route the breather lines to a proper catch can. Look in the archives in the Breather section of the Knowledge Vault and you'll literally see hundreds of them ranging in cost from free to $$$. I went whole hog and just got the XB rocker covers and PCV's. It does away with the unneeded two piece covers from the Sportster (tubers have more room!) and no umbrella valves to mess with. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"...I have a line run to the highest point on the bike behind the steering head with a fuel filter as the breather in the line." It would blow spooge through the steering tube onto the top of the front fender and the fuel filter would eventually clog from the thicker media it wasn't designed to let pass. It makes more sense to have the breather line going downward along its length to a catch-can, not upward. The breather lines on a stock bike do run upward a few inches into the stock breadbox, but their lengths are very, very short. The stuff that blows through the lines gets pretty thick as it cools and congeals and gravity is free. | ||
| Spiderman |
The problem with your drain back idea is that the Valves only work one way not allowing the "spooge" to flow back in. So in theory you could clock the line and cause more problems. Run thr XB rocker covers and you will not even need a catch can... | ||
| Djkaplan |
"The problem with your drain back idea is that the Valves only work one way not allowing the "spooge" to flow back in." Isn't there a little drain hole next to the umbrella valve? | ||
| Djkaplan |
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| Clarry |
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to try my idea of using the umbrella valves as the PCV valve, and tapping into the rocker cover, but will not run lines into the bottom of a high-mounted catch can (Thanks, Djkaplan). It'll be easier to mount a can lower than the rocker covers, anyway. I'd have to mount the can above the headlight to get higher than the covers! If this doesn't work very well, I'll order up a pair of XB rocker covers, and use the XB PCV valves I already have. No harm done if I trash the old covers by drilling and tapping them. I have a billet front motor mount from NRHS on the way, soon, so I shouldn't have to grind on the XB front rocker cover, if I go that route. I paid $8.35 ea. for the XB PCV valves, and $2.95 ea. for the grommets at Paradise H-D/Buell in Tigard, OR. They seem to flow a lot of air, compared to other PCV valves The umbrella valves look like they will flow a lot, too. The main problem with the original design was that the vent was below the umbrella valve... I think. I guess I should have ordered the mini catch can from NRHS, but I should be able to come up with something. I've seen some pretty good ideas on this site. | ||
| Clarry |
Hey, Mbsween, the 868A hex-head bolts you mentioned... Are they available from the H-D/Buell parts man? I assume they are 1/2"-13 bolts to plug the old outlets in the side of the head. What I found, locally were plain black allen bolts, 1" long. Are those bolts plated? These might rust, eventually. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Hey... if you already have the PCV valves, use them. They act like little oil separators, just letting spooge and water through. Here's a link to an archived post in the Breather section of the Knowledge Vault. It's Buellistic's work, but I've seen this done on another BadWeb members bike with good results. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=3842&post=282655#POST282655 Buellistic didn't locate the PCV valves in the same location XB covers have them, but I bet they work just as good and they don't stick out as much as they would on XB covers. Happy drilling. | ||
| Mbsween |
Clarry, I'll check, i got the whole package from hales HD in Mannfield Ohio. The Xb covers didn't stop my x1 from blowing spooge, must be bad rings...... | ||
| Djkaplan |
Mbsween... Have you tried using a larger filter and letting the oil level in the bag run lower? I do this and it nearly eliminated the spooge problem. I let oil just touch the bottom of the dipstick and it barely moves after that. Try it and see, what could it hurt? |
