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techtalk:ref:tools050 [2022/03/21 23:59]
hippysmack [Finding Acceptable Lengths for Gearcase/Cam Cover Screws]
techtalk:ref:tools050 [2024/01/23 01:59] (current)
hippysmack
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 ====== Find Proper Screw Length by Uniformity ====== ====== Find Proper Screw Length by Uniformity ======
 If you have the correct length/​amount of screws but don't know which hole they go in, you can deduce the lengths needed. \\ If you have the correct length/​amount of screws but don't know which hole they go in, you can deduce the lengths needed. \\
-  * Hold the cam cover so that the outside is facing up and drops screws in all mounting holes. (Ocgreenmachine of the XLFORUM ​http://​xlforum.net/​forums/showthread.php?t=763023)) \\ Check the screw depths on bottom (inward side) of the cover. They should all stick out of the cover app the same length. \\ If not, move them around until the ends of the screws on the bottom are basically equal in length sticking out from the cover. \\ Then record the lengths so you'll know where the screws go next time you have the cover.+  * Hold the cam cover so that the outside is facing up and drops screws in all mounting holes. ​((Ocgreenmachine of the XLFORUM ​https://www.xlforum.net/​forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​frame-mount-evo-sportster-talk-1986-2003-models/​92923-bolt-pattern-on-cam-cover?t=763023)) \\ Check the screw depths on bottom (inward side) of the cover. They should all stick out of the cover app the same length. \\ If not, move them around until the ends of the screws on the bottom are basically equal in length sticking out from the cover. \\ Then record the lengths so you'll know where the screws go next time you have the cover.
  
 ====== Find Acceptable Screw Length by Measuring the Depth of a Light Seat ====== ====== Find Acceptable Screw Length by Measuring the Depth of a Light Seat ======
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   * Cut at least three pieces of threaded rod about 3-1/2" long each (or cut the head off a long 1/4" screw/​bolt). \\ Screw a couple in the gearcase as "​holders"​ for the cover. \\ Install the cover gasket and cover over the rods and push lightly on the cover to take up any space to the gearcase. ​ \\ Screw another threaded rod through a mounting hole in the cover by hand until it "​lightly seats" in the bottom of the hole. \\ Mark the point where it peeks out of the cover with some tape. \\ Remove the rod, measure from your mark to the end of it and subtract 1/8". \\ That is the longest screw you want to put in THAT hole. \\ Repeat for all questionable holes. Buy/use screws that are in that range. \\ Screws/​bolts are normalized in size so you may have to go shorter when buying them from stores. \\ If you can't find the right size screw(s), you can buy longer ones and cut them to the size needed. ​   * Cut at least three pieces of threaded rod about 3-1/2" long each (or cut the head off a long 1/4" screw/​bolt). \\ Screw a couple in the gearcase as "​holders"​ for the cover. \\ Install the cover gasket and cover over the rods and push lightly on the cover to take up any space to the gearcase. ​ \\ Screw another threaded rod through a mounting hole in the cover by hand until it "​lightly seats" in the bottom of the hole. \\ Mark the point where it peeks out of the cover with some tape. \\ Remove the rod, measure from your mark to the end of it and subtract 1/8". \\ That is the longest screw you want to put in THAT hole. \\ Repeat for all questionable holes. Buy/use screws that are in that range. \\ Screws/​bolts are normalized in size so you may have to go shorter when buying them from stores. \\ If you can't find the right size screw(s), you can buy longer ones and cut them to the size needed. ​
  
-The thread lengths of a 1980 XLH cam cover were found and recorded using this method ((dims by sickchops of the XLForum ​http://​xlforum.net/​forums/showthread.php?​t=1731837)) \\+The thread lengths of a 1980 XLH cam cover were found and recorded using this method ((dims by sickchops of the XLForum ​https://www.xlforum.net/​forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/​161283-cam-cover-bolt-lengths?​t=1731837)) \\
 Dims were transferred to the pic below. Click on the pic to enlarge: \\ Dims were transferred to the pic below. Click on the pic to enlarge: \\
 {{:​techtalk:​ih:​engmech:​1980_xlh_gearcase_cover_-_found_screw_sizes_by_wheatstateparts.jpg?​direct&​400|}} ((photo courtesy of Ebay seller, WheatStateParts. [[https://​www.ebay.com/​str/​cos0608|Link to Ebay Store]] )) {{:​techtalk:​ih:​engmech:​1980_xlh_gearcase_cover_-_found_screw_sizes_by_wheatstateparts.jpg?​direct&​400|}} ((photo courtesy of Ebay seller, WheatStateParts. [[https://​www.ebay.com/​str/​cos0608|Link to Ebay Store]] ))
 +
 ====== Find the depth of the holes in the gearcase ====== ====== Find the depth of the holes in the gearcase ======
 With the cam cover off; \\ With the cam cover off; \\
   * You can use a long OEM screw for this without cutting it. \\ Screw it into each cover mounting hole in the case by hand until it "​lightly seats" in the bottom of the hole. \\ Mark the point where it is flush to the case with some tape. Remove the screw and measure from your mark to the end of it. \\ This is the maximum depth a screw can be threaded into the hole. THIS IS NOT the proper depth of the screws. \\ The installed screws should stop short of bottoming out to keep from cracking the case or breaking a screw. Be sure to take that into account when sizing screws.   * You can use a long OEM screw for this without cutting it. \\ Screw it into each cover mounting hole in the case by hand until it "​lightly seats" in the bottom of the hole. \\ Mark the point where it is flush to the case with some tape. Remove the screw and measure from your mark to the end of it. \\ This is the maximum depth a screw can be threaded into the hole. THIS IS NOT the proper depth of the screws. \\ The installed screws should stop short of bottoming out to keep from cracking the case or breaking a screw. Be sure to take that into account when sizing screws.
  
-The thread depths of a 1980 XLH gearcase were found and recorded using this method ((dims by sickchops of the XLForum ​http://​xlforum.net/​forums/showthread.php?​t=1731837)) \\+The thread depths of a 1980 XLH gearcase were found and recorded using this method ((dims by sickchops of the XLForum ​https://www.xlforum.net/​forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/​161283-cam-cover-bolt-lengths?​t=1731837)) \\
 Dims were transferred to the pic below. Click on the pic to enlarge: \\ Dims were transferred to the pic below. Click on the pic to enlarge: \\
 {{:​techtalk:​ih:​engmech:​1980_xlh_cam_cover_and_bolt_sizes_by_jandms_ebay_store_harley_disney_toys_-_dims_to_sickchops.jpg?​direct&​400|}} ((photo courtesy of J&​M'​s Ebay Store Harley Disney Toys, labeled by Hippysmack [[https://​www.ebay.com/​str/​recycledharleydavidsonparts|Link to Ebay Store]] ))  {{:​techtalk:​ih:​engmech:​1980_xlh_cam_cover_and_bolt_sizes_by_jandms_ebay_store_harley_disney_toys_-_dims_to_sickchops.jpg?​direct&​400|}} ((photo courtesy of J&​M'​s Ebay Store Harley Disney Toys, labeled by Hippysmack [[https://​www.ebay.com/​str/​recycledharleydavidsonparts|Link to Ebay Store]] )) 
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