Ironhead too much oil in primary

[randy3934]

Originally Posted by Iron Mike

Be sure your battery is disconnected when messing around in there

+1 there are missing digits on some uneducated backyard mechanics hahahhaa

[73HEAD]

what would make the jack shaft bust in 2 bits anyways? about 2 inches was hanging out the bearing on the primary side, the rest is in behind the bendix. when im putting new bits in, is there anything tricky i should look out for ? thanks

[73HEAD]

Originally Posted by 73HEAD

what would make the jack shaft bust in 2 bits anyways? about 2 inches was hanging out the bearing on the primary side, the rest is in behind the bendix. when im putting new bits in, is there anything tricky i should look out for ? thanks

[needspeed]

You'll never know for sure what exactly caused yours to break. Does your engine ever fire backwards when the starter is cranking due to too much ignition advance? When that happens the starter driveline gets a huge jolt with possibly enough force to break that shaft? The shaft isn't real big.

It could just be metal fatigue or bad heat treatment from the factory. Who knows? Firing backwards is the first thing that comes to mind.

Be sure not to operate the starter without the primary cover on.

[73HEAD]

hi again, i put a whole new starter assy in bendix and jackshaft, everything new. when putting gasket on i noticed the gasket about 1/2inch bigger all the way round. it looks like it would create a section like an oil pool in there and no way to get back out. so in affect the solonoid boot would always have oil round it, it dont seem right to me. as the splash happens i thought that would do. and the oil can run back out and not pool in there. any opinions.

[needspeed]

You must be talking about the starter housing gasket. I had the same concern as you. After it's bolted on, cut a section of the excess gasket to let oil pass through and not get trapped behind the gasket.

[73HEAD]

i did that, thank f..k i did the right thing. there is nowhere to find out about these sort of things except thru this forum. the more i work on this bike the more i learn. its easy to feel like a banana but you dont know what you dont know until you have a go. thanks mate. im curious, why would they make the gasket like that in the first place??

[sungod]

The large gasket was probably made for a kick start block off plate.Notching is a good idea.I would suggest you change the needle bearings at this time.Check the starter gear teeth,jack shaft gear and bendix for damage.Bendix should only turn in one direction. Lastly remember to install the washer on the jack shaft primary side.

[73HEAD]

i put a whole new setup in, bendix jackshaft, the lot. bought a kit from a fellow in america. cant buy anything like that in oz and if you come across ironhead parts they are pretty much taiwan stuff. i will pay extra for nos for sure. everything seems to go ok. my clutch was 17 years old and getting tired so i put new barnett plates in and thats when i studied how it all looks. i did trim the gasket back but it wasnt a blockoff one, that was in the kit too. maybe it was off a real early sporty? were they different at all?? its all good now. thanks for the advice.