1948 HARLEY DAVIDSON EL

 1948 FL, first year for the new Pan-head engine and last year for the Harley original springer forks, which would give way to the telescopic Hydra-Glide front end in '49. While the engine's bottom-end was based on the previous Knucklehead, the top-end, with aluminum heads, hydraulic lifters and its signature pan-shaped valve covers, ran cooler and quieter, and was both more oil-tight and reliable than the Knuckle. It would remain in production until 1965.1948-LAST YEAR FOR SPRINGER FORKS AND FIRST YEAR FOR THE PAN-HEAD ENGINE

As the design of Harley-Davidson engines evolved through the years, the distinctive shape of the valve covers has allowed Harley enthusiasts to classify an engine simply by looking at the shape of the covers, and the pan-head has covers resembling an upside-down pan.The pan-head was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine, so nicknamed because of the distinct shape of the rocker covers. The engine is a two-cylinder, two-valve-per-cylinder, push-rod V-twin, made in both 61 c.i. (EL) and 74 c.i. (FL, FLH) displacements. The engine replaced the Knucklehead engine in 1948 and was manufactured until 1965 when it was replaced by the Shovel. 

1948 was a milestone year for the Motor Company. The new OHV Pan head engine’s design change would alter the machine’s persona for decades. Material used for the head was changed from cast iron to aluminum. Overhead valve design required a continuous oil supply to lubricate it. The OHV Knucklehead had ongoing problems with oil leaks from it’s heads. A complex assembly of tin cover4s and aluminum rocker boxes that vibration and improper assembly could loosen would allow oil to leak onto the exhaust pipes and down the cylinders. A simple but effective cover was devised to seal the entire top of the 1948’s new head 

photo soon....