It’s so interesting. About ten years ago we published an article from the madman in Hawaii, Deacon, on how to make a cone-motor Shovelheads run as well as an Evolution.
JIMS also makes a kit to make your Shovel engine oil more effectively through the pushrods, but Merch has a system to turn a regular Shovelhead into a Shovelution. See below:
REVITALIZE YOUR TIRED SHOVEL!!!! we can turn your tired shovel into a SHOVEL-UTION engine, better controlled oil pressure to each individual rocker, quieter running engine, adjustable pushrods, set once, no futher adjustment necessary, better power band and much more power with our MERCH/ANDREWS MMSE-1 cam, result MORE POWER, MAINTENANCE FREE ENGINE $1895.00. shop is taking bookings now. merch@bellaliant.com.
Gerry Merchant
Moncton, NB, Canada
Monday, March 06, 2017
Here are the steps from Gerry Merchant, the air-cooled V-Twin Wizard:
Comparison of the Shovel rocker arms to the evolution/TC rocker arms. Note the bronze thrust washer O.D. .885, I.D. .437.
The end play must be set up .005-.010 approx for the rocker arms in the shaft. There will be four O-rings required, our part number is KG-116-90.
These rocker arms will need to be modified (ground as per illustration 5). Shovel has the indent which must be removed until it resembles the second one.
These are the correct rocker box gaskets and O-rings required
Rocker box surfaces must be lightly emery’d to allow good surface mating. Next assemble Evolution/T.C. rocker arms in rocker boxes. . Rocker arm socket capscrew ‘78-later torqued 8-12 ft/lbs. Rocker arm lock nut 7/16-24 torqued 12-18 ft/lbs. Rocker box nut 5/16-24, torqued 12-15 ft/lbs.
Showing the shortness of the Shovel rocker shaft and the travel required in the rocker boxes. Using a putty to establish the necessity of some stock removal in the rocker box to allow free travel of the rocker arm.
Most Shovel rocker boxes are rough cast, and often require stock removal even in a Shovel that is not undergoing conversion. Certainly quiets that part of the engine
Note: Shovelhead valve angle exhaust 38 degrees, intake 40 degrees
Pushrod cover length Evo-M/P 5.000-inch.
Pushrod cover bottom O/D 1.080, machine to 1.055.
Shave .025 bottom flange as per picture, use pushrod clip Ms. 2.600 front exhaust- re check S & S. Shovel H-D pushrod tube – covers will work.
The shot directly above shows 1/8 inch pipe thread plug in the rocker box, since outside oiling no long necessary. This system oils through the pushrods, like Evos. Should consider running Evo style bottom pushrod tubes, better seal: Shovel covers may need cork vs. rubber
Four Evo rocker arms
Four Andrews E/Z adjust chrome molly push rods
Two Evo/chrome lifter blocks
Two USA made Evo style hydraulic cam followers.
Complete top end Cometic gasket set
Four aluminum billet lower push rod covers
Four bronze rocker arm thrust washers
Or considering the age of the Shovel engine and the possibility that it is a high-miler with rebuilds, and the necessity of custom machine and part fabrication,
we are positioned to completely refurb the Shovel engine, replacing worn and suspect parts and return it as a freshened SHOVEL-UTION. ……………..P.O.A.
