In The Shop: Evolution Oil Pump

We have replaced buckets of Evolution and Shovelhead oil pumps over the years. Unlike Twin Cam oil pumps that sometimes fail by design, the Evolution and earlier oil pumps were typically good until worn from tens of thousands of miles, or damaged as a result of cam or tappet bearing failure. The latter, catastrophic failure from another motor component, is the more common reason for Evolution oil pump failure.

Recently, in the shop, a customer brought us a composite Softail that he had just completed building. Overall, the bike was well built. Even meticulously wired. The bike however had an older, supposedly rebuilt, bottom breathing S&S motor with a pre-92 Harley oil pump. The bike was sumping excessive oil from it’s bottom breather hose.

After inspecting for correct oil line routing and verifying good oil return to the tank, we stretched the oil pump check ball spring and verified that the bore was clean but, like we figured; that was just wishful thinking. There was not a noticeable change after running the m/c.

Next, we removed the cam cover for an inspection of the breather gear, timing marks, and overall cam compartment. Everything there checked out. We were now confident that the oil pump, that had been reused, should have been retired prior to this rebuild.

We replaced the old pump with a tried and true S&S billet oil pump assembly. Before beginning oil pump replacement, we removed the drain plug from the bottom of the S&S crankcase so that the excess oil in the bottom end could drain while we worked.

Pump replacement is not extremely difficult but it can be tedious. It is important to work clean. The paper gaskets are very thin and need to be handled gently. Prep and clean gasket surfaces thoroughly. It is also important to practice patience while aligning the pump halves or installing the small keys and retaining clips.

After plumbing our oil lines, priming the new pump and refilling the oil tank, the job was complete. Upon starting the bike, we had strong oil return to the tank and not even a mist of oil from the bottom breather hose. That is the outcome we have grown to expect when we use quality parts from S&S Cycle.

It’s always nice to be able to do a job one time correctly and move on to the next.

Related Videos:

Cam Chain Tensioner Shoe

Cam Gear Drive Conversion


More Evolution Videos here:


1984-1999 Overview of the Harley Evolution Engine
Evo 2 Piece Harley Davidson Fuel Tank Removal
Evo Charging System Checks: Pre 1999
Evo Oil and Tranny Plug Locations
Evolution Front Brake Calipers & Pads
Evolution of Batteries
Evolution Outer Fairing Removal
Evolution Rear Brake Caliper & Pads
Harley Tappet Oil Screen Cleaning
Front Fork Service 41mm Conventional Front Forks

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8 Responses to “In The Shop: Evolution Oil Pump”

  1. Fred Reeves

    Just signed up today and was hoping to see info also on panheads and shovels, are there any videos on how to R&R an '85 oil pump. constant sumping, screached the spring, tried re seating the ball and replaced the ball and spring...result the same

  2. Michael Chartier

    Why is my bike clanking when starting

  3. Tim Fox

    I'm looking for a video on changing the oil pump on my 1990 heritage

  4. KIM

    I have a 97 evolution that I'm replacing the oil pump on do I have to pull the motor away from the transmission in order to replace this oil pump

  5. Donald Wood

    Engine oil light is on, no oil returning to tank. Do I need to replace oil pump, or gears etc, in oil pump housing?

  6. Joe quintero

    I know this thread is old but I was looking for some advice on replacing the oil pump cover gasket. I recently had a new s&s oil pump installed on my FXR and it is leaking from the oil pump cover gasket. I want to replace the gasket but I am uncertain if it is as easy as it seems. Looking for some guidance. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

  7. James Eenhuis

    Try to figure out how to fix my oil pump on my 1990 sporty 1200. I'm still new to working on my bike and this is the first time I have had to do this. Is it a complete pump that can be replaced or is it just a bunch of parts that are in a housing that need to be replaced? I haven't torn into it yet but I plan on doing so when I get off work today.

  8. Joe

    91 flstc with 99000 miles on stock oil pump. After sitting through the winter upon 1st start up oil pours out the breather. Is fine after initial start. I've changed the check ball and spring many times but it still happens every year. Should I replace the whole pump?