Engine Mechanical Topics Discussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.

88 oil pump

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 6, 2016 | 12:35 PM
  #1  
bigheadted's Avatar
bigheadted
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Default 88 oil pump

Couple years ago I lost a tensioner, there was some minor scoring on the oil pump but I could not feel it at all and it seemed mostly visual. 10k miles and no issues.

A few weeks back I did a high speed highway run with my Brother, I normally never ride so fast but we were going 85 plus for miles. The bike started to run a little bit different then blew huge clouds of smoke. I slowed and it stopped and we hit the next exit. There was oil out the AC and down the side of the bike. I had the oil level full and it dropped a bit.

I figured since I normally run the oil level around the half mark or slightly higher that was the issue. I had learned in 2005 with my other 2004 that it did not like full oil levels.

Back on the road at 85 plus and I kept attention and it started to run slightly different and smoked like hell again. Stopped and checked and oil slightly lower.
Repeat and oil now at half level on stick and smoking stopped at speed.

Since then I have ridden about 1k miles and it is just fine but now I have a nagging desire to replace the cam plate and install a S&S oil pump for the increase in scavenging ability, better oil pressure and possible cooler oil seem like a good idea.

Am I wasting money ??


Specs on motor 88" stock bore and heads, Cyco tensioners, Baisley spring and bypass plunger/piston, Torrington inner cam bearings, Andrews 21 cams, S&S adjustables pushrods and lifters, PCV with auto tune. Has 37k on it now.
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2016 | 01:29 PM
  #2  
djl's Avatar
djl
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Community Team
Default

Nothing wrong with the early cam plate. Open the cam chest, pull the cam plate and pump and check gerotors and mating surface on the cam plate. If the mating surface on the cam plate is not scuffed or scratched, replace the pump with the Daytona pump for the early TC88s. Also, vent the crank case breathers to the atmosphere. That should solve the high speed running problem.
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2016 | 01:30 PM
  #3  
Hillsidecycle.com's Avatar
Hillsidecycle.com
Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,084
Likes: 829
Default

Yes.
Scott
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2016 | 01:34 PM
  #4  
Turbo Turtle's Avatar
Turbo Turtle
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 13
From: 501
Default

Originally Posted by Hillsidecycle.com
Yes.
Scott
I second this motion






BOB
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2016 | 01:36 PM
  #5  
bigheadted's Avatar
bigheadted
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Default

Thanks for the responses gents.

Is the daytona oil pump a better unit than the S&S one ?
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2016 | 01:45 PM
  #6  
bigheadted's Avatar
bigheadted
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Default

Originally Posted by Hillsidecycle.com
Yes.
Scott
Scott, Yes to the first response or yes that I am wasting time ?? I know it is a little bitty motor !!!hahah
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2016 | 08:27 PM
  #7  
djl's Avatar
djl
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Community Team
Default

Originally Posted by bigheadted
Thanks for the responses gents. Is the daytona oil pump a better unit than the S&S one ?
IMHO, it is not a question of which is better but a question of how much one needs to spend for a pump that is an upgrade from the OEM pump. If one wants to spend twice as much for a pretty blue pump that does offer a bit more in basic features than an alternative; that is a decision one must make. What I am saying is that the Daytona pump is more than adequate, offers higher flow and scavenging than the OEM pump and costs at least half of what the S&S TC3 pump will cost. Which one you decide to buy is up to you............
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2016 | 08:49 PM
  #8  
bigheadted's Avatar
bigheadted
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Default

Originally Posted by djl
IMHO, it is not a question of which is better but a question of how much one needs to spend for a pump that is an upgrade from the OEM pump. If one wants to spend twice as much for a pretty blue pump that does offer a bit more in basic features than an alternative; that is a decision one must make. What I am saying is that the Daytona pump is more than adequate, offers higher flow and scavenging than the OEM pump and costs at least half of what the S&S TC3 pump will cost. Which one you decide to buy is up to you............

Well I never heard of the Daytona until now but I know S&S stuff is usually among the best stuff made, in 25 years of Harley life I never had a problem with them. I know with my lifters I could have saved 200 bucks but went with S&S as well as pushrods but chose Andrews for the cams.

The cost is waaayyyy less for the Daytona versus the S&S and man that has appeal for sure.

In reality a fresh OEM pump would probably suffice but I do plan of some future upgrades like head work and maybe bigger bore and better oil control is never a bad thing.

I appreciate the advice and will do some research on the Daytona pump, do you run them too??
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 6, 2016 | 09:09 PM
  #9  
bigheadted's Avatar
bigheadted
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Default

If one wants to spend twice as much for a pretty blue pump


Hahhaha this is funny and I missed it first off !! great one for sure !! Personally I would not care if it was pink, purple or polka dotted ! It will be under a cover right !!haha
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2016 | 05:32 AM
  #10  
Hillsidecycle.com's Avatar
Hillsidecycle.com
Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,084
Likes: 829
Default

Originally Posted by bigheadted
Scott, Yes to the first response or yes that I am wasting time ?? I know it is a little bitty motor !!!hahah

Yes to waisting your time.
djl makes mention of the Daytona pumps.
We use/stock them, and they DO work well.
Scott
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:33 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE