88" to 97".
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
88" to 97".
I am turning my 88ci fxdl into a 97ci. I have started the task of removing the carbon build up on my heads. I have tried everything I can think of as well as some things people have told me to try.
Last night my father-in-law brought over his dremel. I think I am doing more harm then good and I am afraid I am ruining the heads.
Would it be better to have these rebuilt or go with a set of heads from a 96ci? I am not doing cams as of yet.
The main problem is that I cannot get into the little spots around the valve guides and the nut that holds the wheel on the dremel has contacted the surface of the head creating a light scratch in the surface. I would like to polish the intake and exhaust ports for better flow but I don't think I have the tools necessary to accomplish this.
If it would be best to go with 96ci heads, any idea where I could find a set fir a reasonable price?
Thanks.
Last night my father-in-law brought over his dremel. I think I am doing more harm then good and I am afraid I am ruining the heads.
Would it be better to have these rebuilt or go with a set of heads from a 96ci? I am not doing cams as of yet.
The main problem is that I cannot get into the little spots around the valve guides and the nut that holds the wheel on the dremel has contacted the surface of the head creating a light scratch in the surface. I would like to polish the intake and exhaust ports for better flow but I don't think I have the tools necessary to accomplish this.
If it would be best to go with 96ci heads, any idea where I could find a set fir a reasonable price?
Thanks.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Best thing you could do is buy a set of heads already polished, if that is your goal. Unless you really know what you are doing, chances are you will do more harm than good. It doesn't take but one small slip and you have ruined a perfectly good set of heads.
Back in the day when I was building motors, I ruined a few sets of heads learning how to do this, if you remove metal to polish, you need to mill the heads to gain the lost compression, remove too much and it is unrecoverable, it really is a science.
Back in the day when I was building motors, I ruined a few sets of heads learning how to do this, if you remove metal to polish, you need to mill the heads to gain the lost compression, remove too much and it is unrecoverable, it really is a science.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,419
Likes: 1
From: Ashland Ore.
Leave the head work to the pros. Have your heads ported. Normally the porter will set your heads to match the cam you're going to use. Never heard of someone doing head work, a big bore and using stock cams? You would be better off getting a set of cams and matching head work with out doing the 97" vs the big bore and stock cams.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
Send your heads to Big Boyz head porting. It's $300 or $400 to have it done.
http://www.bigboyzheadporting.com/
Drew
http://www.bigboyzheadporting.com/
Drew
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
+1 You want the components used in the build to match in order to get the most out of it. There are plenty of stories where after spending a bunch of money, you end up with performance worse than when you started since the parts don't compliment each other.
Is there a reason why you would not want to do the cams?
Is there a reason why you would not want to do the cams?
Leave the head work to the pros. Have your heads ported. Normally the porter will set your heads to match the cam you're going to use. Never heard of someone doing head work, a big bore and using stock cams? You would be better off getting a set of cams and matching head work with out doing the 97" vs the big bore and stock cams.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Home
Well if you are on a budget go big bore first, that's where your biggest gain will be. You could go 95, 97, or 98.....without changing stroke. Then do the cams, I'd really really suggest having your heads done to match the cams you pick though, that's a big gain and really not that pricey through a lot of shops. Just my .02 though.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I am doing all this on a budget. Cams are in the future, just not the near future. Since my jugs went on me last fall i decided to give with a big bike kit. S&S makes a 97" kit to fit the old 88" twin cam. As for the heads, i was just looking to remove the carbon that has built up on them. It looks as though the front intake valve was not closing before detonation. I have carbon in the intake port. The plan was to use a soft wire wheel and then polish out any small scratches. Now i am more worried about ruining what i have.
Thanks for all the help! As well as for the website!
Thanks for all the help! As well as for the website!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
I believe the 97 kit will give you decent results without cams. I use oven cleaner and fine scotch brite pads. I DO NOT use a dremel and have hand polished many sets of heads successfully, just not on my HD. The only benefit of polishing the chambers is they resist carbon buildup better than unpolished ones.
I believe your money would be better spent on a 10:1 compression 95 kit AND cams though. You could get that setup for less than what the S&S 97 kit costs. I wouldnt do anything to the heads other than install new OEM valves and hand clean them. Thats my 2 cents worth.....
I believe your money would be better spent on a 10:1 compression 95 kit AND cams though. You could get that setup for less than what the S&S 97 kit costs. I wouldnt do anything to the heads other than install new OEM valves and hand clean them. Thats my 2 cents worth.....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
I believe the 97 kit will give you decent results without cams. I use oven cleaner and fine scotch brite pads. I DO NOT use a dremel and have hand polished many sets of heads successfully, just not on my HD. The only benefit of polishing the chambers is they resist carbon buildup better than unpolished ones.
I believe your money would be better spent on a 10:1 compression 95 kit AND cams though. You could get that setup for less than what the S&S 97 kit costs. I wouldnt do anything to the heads other than install new OEM valves and hand clean them. Thats my 2 cents worth.....
I believe your money would be better spent on a 10:1 compression 95 kit AND cams though. You could get that setup for less than what the S&S 97 kit costs. I wouldnt do anything to the heads other than install new OEM valves and hand clean them. Thats my 2 cents worth.....
IF you were to install new valves you need to do a valve job, which means grinding the seats and lapping the valves in, you can't just replace valves, if you have scratched the seats at all you will not be able to get a good seal and most likely will have backfire issues.