97 FLHRI Oil Pump Drive Gear Failure

[97roadkingefi]

My '97 Road King (efi) w/ 20,000 miles stripped the oil pump pinion gear and knocked of two teeth of the oil pump drive gear. Oil light came on after an oil change, 5 minute warm up and riding 2 miles. Tore the oil pump and nose cone down and found the two damaged gears and that it had spun the main oil pump gear and the oil pump drive gear on the shaft. The drive shaft also had 180' where it would not free spin in the bronze bushing. Note: the bike started and ran perfect even after the light came on (I pulled the return line to verify I had no oil pressure).

I am tearing the bike down (motor out) so I can press in a new bushing and am installing a S&S HVHP billet oil pump (it has a longer than stock shaft) and an Andrews EV27 cam. The bike already has SE Stage I air filter & ECU upgrade (to 6200rpm), Bub's True Duals w/o baffles, a Thunder Blaster exhaust insert (best money I have spent so far), and a Power Commander III USB. The bike was Dyno tuned and has ran fantastic.

Questions: 1) Does anyone know what would cause those gears to bind up and shear? 2) I am thinking about adding SE Heads and pistons while the bike is tore down. Does anyone else have this set-up and is there enough performance improvement to justify the extra $1000?

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I thought would include all the relavent info. Thanks a ton in advance!!

[dirtjones]

I have a 98 RoadKing FLHRCI and at about 65,000 my oil light came on. Found that the woodruff key, on the drive end, had sherred off. Was wondering if this is a common problem with the EVO engine, in the later years?

[Otto]

i would be looking for what jammed in the pump and the sheared the key or gear possible material from breather gear?? lifter roller? cam bearing? crap coming in from oil tank??

[RXO]

I have same issue with my 96 softail, bike started right up. Loud noise like starter was engaged, oil light came on. Took covers off to find demolished gears. oil pump shaft rotates 3/4 of the way around. Can't get it out either. Any suggestions?