Ironhead 1979 oil lines and vents

[Sportster79]

Hi guys. I’m new and this is my first post. I’ve searched and searched but I can not find the correct way to rout oil lines and vent lines. I’ve got a 1979 xlh with a stock oil tank. I see that the back of the oil pump goes to the oil feed on the tank. The front of the oil pump goes to the return line high on the tank. What I can’t seem to find is where the vent on the tank feeds. Does that go to the small fitting in between the starter starter and the solenoid?

Second mystery. There is a elbow out of the back of the cam cover and 2 areas out of a breather in the front of that cover where the generator is. One at the 11 o clock position and a smaller one at 6 o’clock. I believe the PO had the 11 o clock plugged. Can someone please tell me how to properly hook these up? Or direct me to a diagram for a 79? I can’t find the specific info for a 79 and I have an s&s super e so no place to attach a vent on the air filter.

[ryder rick]

Tank vent is the smaller fitting (1/4") and goes to the elbow on the back of the cam cover. This is not really a vent but a balance tube to remove condensate vapors from the oil tank.

As designed the external vent is the upper fitting (9:00) on the cam cover bulge. The bottom hole should be plugged to prevent oil drips. You can vent from the bottom but it will dribble oil that makes it past the check valve.

They don't call me Ironhead Rick just because I'm hard headed

[Sportster79]

Thanks! So if I understand I run a line from the reed valve on the generator bulge to an open tube to breath? or does need to connect to something?

I run the oil tank vent to the elbow on the back of the cam cover.

last puzzle. The vent between the starter and solenoid. does that just go to open atmosphere?

[Steve9]

Should the reed valve be checked?

Guess so.

My 81 is the same I beleive

[Hippysmack]

Good coincidence.
This is what I've been working on.
Here is a generic drawing of the hose routing.
(I know 79 didn't have a filter)
http://sportsterpedia.com/doku.php/techtalk:ihil04

(edit: I updated the drawings to include the crankcase breather line at the cam cover)


79-81 hooks up like this (PS...I need a pic like this of the 80-81 tank).



Reed valve is in the cover with a vent hose to the A/C.
Or some run it down to atmosphere.
http://sportsterpedia.com/doku.php/t...k:ih:engmech07

[Sportster79]

Thanks, very helpful. that’s all I needed to solve the puzzle. Beers on me if any of you end up in DE!

[Hippysmack]

Glad to help!

[IronMick]

Originally Posted by Sportster79

... The vent between the starter and solenoid. does that just go to open atmosphere?

Yes, run it straight up, then curl it so that the open end faces down, an inch or two. No liquid will come out of it.