Harley Davidson Shovelhead Build Series Part 2 - Assemble Gear Case - Kevin Baxter - Baxters Garage

In this Harley Davidson Shovelhead Build we assemble the cam chest or gear case. When you build your Shovelhead Engine cam and breather install is important. I will show you how to properly set up your cam and oil pump. This is part 2 of a multipart series on The Curve Bike. Learn how to build a Harley Shovelhead.
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www.cometic.com
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Pro Twin Performance and Baxter's Garage
723 W Winder Industrial Pkwy
Winder, GA 30680
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[@donrudeboyt1895]

This was like watching a precision watch technician. With all the gears and no chains. I’m sure this motor will run like a clock. This is how you make a Shovelhead reliable. 👍🏼

[@Kimmels_garage]

I’ve had very good results from cometic gaskets on shovelhead and panheads. I have found that their base gaskets always end up leaking though. I’ve had to tear down and replace base gaskets on the three bikes I own. James silicone coated metal base gaskets have worked best for me. I rode my shovelhead from Florida to California and back and the motor was still leak free when I got home. 7200 miles in 28 days.

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

Kevin, another great video. I'm always amazed at how differently 2 people will assemble an engine. Looking forward to more Shovelhead videos. Maybe you could do another live video on this build?

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you!

[@NattyBumppo]

Awesome videos! Helping me out as I type this.

[@brandywell44]

I remember reading a US custom magazine in the late 1970s on rebulding a Shovelhead oil pump and the gasket used was mica and assembly was to 1/10th of a thou tolerance. Is my memory correct? Loving this bike build so far and the attention to detail from Kevin Baxter. It's a great channel. One note I have that I want to share is that during WW2 British engineering companies were making spares for US aircraft engines and were initially rejected because British engineering used a system of pairing components for best fit, whereas the US used a system of any part off the shelves will fit properly to any part of any engine needing replacement parts. This US attitude that we had to adopt in the UK required that parts were manufactured to a much tighter tolerance to guarantee that any part is okay. My point is that I know Harley Davidson supposedly use paired parts in their engines, eg gears. Although I understand that assembly operators are somewhat slack at times and HD QA is not what it should be either. So why do HD not use a much tighter tolerance during manufacture? I know it may cost more but it should be worth it. My own Vee Twin experience is in Moto Guzzi 950 OHV version and they are much simpler designs of engine than HD and are generally satisfactory in operation. I really appreciate the care in build that Kevin Baxter puts into these HD engines and drive train. They are real enthusiast bikes when done right. The S&S X Wedge and the T143 look great engines. Would love to see Kevin do something on those but I do love the older HD designs very much.

[@leonardstanford1877]

My old boss ( RIP ) & I have rebuilt more then or share of shovels . That's exactly how we used to do it it's time consuming & there is a lot of machining that needs to be done . Today people bring me heads that have had 4 or 5 maybe more valve jobs & they freak out when I tell them I need to machine & install new guides & valve seats & it costs this much to do ! I have not done & Evo style oiling conversion but but that is what I would do on my own shovel . Many things you talked about apply to EVO motors also so I still build EVOs like that ! Nice video !

[@slon4753]

Thank you so much for video😊😊

[@alstone5257]

Kevin, watching you work makes me want you to do the work as you are so far passed my knowledge. You are the best.

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you Al! Appreciate your support sir.

[@bryanwilliams2895]

I had a 1979 low rider 80 cubic inch shovel, the engine was balanced 60 % and yes the front end shock at stop lights. It had drag bars peanut gas than two spark plugs per cylinder and blue pipes. I wanted to put the little john transmission not the rapper. The little john 5 in a 4 speed case it was $1000 back then I miss that bike , and one point the spark plugs of the right side on the cylinder were shorter than the left because the piston would hit the plug on the right if you put the longer plugs in that side.

[@bobgoes4129]

Didn’t remember being so technical, very interesting

[@mmusser62]

Fascinating to watch the progress. Your insight is interesting to watch and seeing this come together is amazing. I have been on a motorcycle hiatus but am beginning to get the desire to get back out there. I have never owned or ridden a Harley. Your channel has gotten me hooked and I am beginning the research on what is the right ride for me. Keep up the great work.

[@mikerapp8163]

Awesome educational video on rebuilding the cam chest. I just went through a 1970 Shovel rebuild. You covered it all. Great job. Thanks for taking the time to make it.

[@bruce1816]

Thanks Kevin, I'm enjoying this. I'm an old school guy and love the shovelheads. I've done several Delkron cones but would like to do a STD 88 incher with good heads and reliable.

[@DavidSmith-fw6uj]

Love from DeKalb Mississippi USA 🇺🇸

[@johnbrisker5584]

Awesome thanks can’t wait until the next one👍🏻

[@kurtruppenthal9506]

Great series

[@wtf0101]

Excellent video Kevin 👍

[@captaj2845]

Thanks man I have the m8 my buddy has a twin cam and we are building a shovel head in his formal dining room so this will actually help !

[@TheRoadGlideRider]

Reminds me of when I worked on my Shovel! 🏍💨🏍💨

[@permutatechguy]

An artist!

[@jcir6938]

Fun stuff Kevin!

[@mountaindew8042]

👀👂 👍Mr Baxters 🚶💭Thank U.

[@Hjfvvdst]

👍 awesome!

[@franklinestrada3917]

Muy agradecido por la información

[@ldeanmason1788]

Rest video Thanks!

[@franklinestrada3917]

Gracias, buenísima información, tengo una pala del 76, voy a actualizar el sistema de engrase

[@martinwall7297]

tks a whole lot Kevin. I was in question as to who to let rebuild my 1977 FLH. it's all stock and it runs great for what it is, if I can get it to GA. you have the job.

[@dmitrykhramov1832]

Is it Tuesday yet 🤔 Awesome content! 👌👍💪

[@dave6251]

nice job buddy , you said two rear heads , can't weight to here how how you worked the valve train for that to work

[@laimonasapavicius5643]

Hey, Kevin, cheers from Lithuania. I cannot find any real info or feedbacks about Evo oil pumps. I'm not sure if the aftermarket pumps S&S or Jims perform any better that the stock one. Are there any real numbers or proofs that I need to replace my original pump. Chasing noises with my EV51 you know :)

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

Kevin, have you noticed the cone or cam cover bushings, in later years are drastically under sized from the manufacturers? I've seen other guys assembling older Harley engines running into that problem.

[@samslade739]

Thanks for all your videos. I'm retired now and sure do miss building engines. There was a gap between the videos that I missed. Did you put any kind of sealer on the case halves?

[@garykittelson4871]

Kevin i was wounding if you would rebuild a 76 shovel lower end for me. Gary

[@georgespain6121]

This is interesting. I’ve never looked at a shovel head build. I don’t believe they are a big power engine, by today’s standard. What kind of power are you expecting from this build?

[@nickthinkpainting1978]

Old grey beard here … I’ve seen many shovels eat many a motorcycle …. Built right they absolutely rip….

[@magic4221]

Kinda surprised you're not using the S&S Reed valve breather assembly. Zero timing issues.

[@vtwinbuilder3129]

Issues? It’s two marks for Gods sake.

[@hdevo80]

S&S reed valve only for 1993 and late engines.

[@stevenagg4129]

Who makes the engine stand? Great video

[@laimonasapavicius5643]

Actually we had problems with leaking cylinder base gaskets from cometic.

[@frankmccracken743]

Hey Kevin, great videos. Question: It looks like you are using the plastic breather gear. Is that your preference over the aftermarket steel?

[@hdevo80]

Jims black steel.

[@samuelezanuso981]

Mr Baxter well done. A big question. A camshaft which suffered a little damage by a worn pushrod roller can be regrinded? Thanks!

[@KevinBaxter]

Well...in most cases it would have to be welded, head treated, ground, etc. otherwise just grinding, the base circle would change. considering the cost of cams, i dont see that being cost effective.

[@Duey_diditGarage]

Sorry I couldn't make it but had to rush to a baseball game for Lil Duey Jr

[@stevemiller7654]

We didn't degree in the breather timing. Granted you are using aftermarket cases and breather valve, but this is all the more reason to confirm the the opening and closing of said valve is within specs.... Trust but verify.... ....RooDog....

[@user-qw3zt9vl4n]

Kevin what is that red coating on the inside of the engine block?

[@ChefPelle]

Look at the first episode...

[@user-qw3zt9vl4n]

Glyptal Got it, Thank you... 👍👍

[@leonardstanford1877]

The engine case casting were not great & had alot of air bubbles in them that if not coated would sometimes leak oil thru them so especially old cases should be coated on the inside to prevent that from happening !