004 - Panhead head history. Differences from 1948 to 1965 of the Harley Davidson Big Twins

We’re talking about the differences of 1948 to 1965 Harley Davidson Panheads and having a little fun while we do it. Drop us a line or check us out on the gram under @ancestorgarage and @blockplanestudio

[@ephraimgarrett4727]

Thanks. Now I can finally get a good night's sleep, not having to worry about not knowing the differences in Panhead heads. 😃😃😃

[@andygalushko2695]

Good stuff, thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@crankybrown40]

Here to support Thom! And by extension, Eric (whom I have not met)! Teach me the stuff.

[@thethomandericshow]

Thank you Cranky! Hope to meet ya some day - Eric

[@crankybrown40]

@@thethomandericshow Hell yeah! We can make that happen!

[@panheadsforever74]

PANHEADS FOREVER

[@SlickHeadCustomCycles]

Forever Panheads!!!!

[@panheadsforever74]

​@@SlickHeadCustomCycleshey slick, SPANKY here. You can watch this, now that you got ur 58 panhead.

[@denverfowler5290]

GREAT CLASS SIR ,
thnk you , 👍

[@blockplanestudio]

Stop moving the god damn camera Eric!!!! I’m gonna throw up! Also, sorry about all the word f-ups 😂 It’s a spark plug hole, not an exhaust port! I’m still getting used to having a camera pointed at me 😁😅

[@thethomandericshow]

😂 your damn hands are always in the way! And you might want to try a new lotion. It’s like filming the Mojave desert

[@PETER-rj4he]

😎PANHEADS FOREVER 😎

[@DeeInTheHouse]

...did you mention the '55 4 fin below spark plug versus the '58 5 fins ?

[@blockplanestudio]

No, but you are correct. Pre big fin heads and post big fin heads both have 7 fins, but they did increase the surface area of the 5th fin from the bottom, more so by connecting two side of that fin and making the spark plug cavity deeper, than actually adding an extra fin. 🤙🏻💨💨

[@norego6237]

so then did the first shovel head fit on a pan barrel or did you need a shovel barrel to do that ?

[@blockplanestudio]

No. Shovelheads have a slightly different bolt pattern. As did panhead, and knucklehead. All 3 head bolt patterns are unique. Although it is usually just one bolt hole that doesn’t align. This is due to the changes in head design, port location, etc. 🤟🏻👍🏻💨

[@norego6237]

@@blockplanestudio so s geny shovel isnt realy a pan bottom end crank cases and stuff

[@blockplanestudio]

@@norego6237 the “generator” shovel engine is virtually unchanged from the 65 panhead engine cases, but the cylinder heads are their own unique bolt pattern. Any Harley cylinder will fit on any Harley engine from 36-83, but your initial question was about the heads, which all require their proprietary cylinder, or modification to the head bolt inserts. So if you want to run shovelheads on a panhead you need to run the cylinders and the heads together. And then find a way to deliver the oil to the top end.

[@norego6237]

@@blockplanestudio ok i get it now if want a shovel head you need a shovel barrell . now i know how they run one of each

[@kurtfoulke5130]

​@blockplanestudio Oil sent to the rocker boxes on the 66 & up shovel comes from a different location than the 65 pan.

[@martincvitkovich724]

Cracked head. pre unit Triumphs with 8 bolt heads always cracked. Worse than that crack in the 48 pan head. They ran like that, no big deal.JS

[@blockplanestudio]

Interesting perspective. I build engines and I can assure you I have seen plenty of panhead engines that have had heads with that crack at the intake that don’t run. If you’re sucking air beyond the intake manifold, you won’t be running for long with that issue. Don’t know anything about triumphs, but it would be remarkable if their heads could have a crack going around the gasket surface, the seat and the manifold and run good. But hey, you’re the expert obviously 🤷🏼‍♂️