Cylinder Head Ruined
Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Cylinder Head Ruined
2012 Sportster 48, 3,500 miles
I managed to ruin the cylinder heads on my bike while changing the exhaust. Broke a stud in the front head then did a bad drill out to try to remove it. I actually fixed this but then I pulled out all the threads on the rear head putting the exhaust back on. I tried to re-tap it with bigger threads but for one reason or another I couldn't get it right.
I'm going to cut my losses with the current heads and get new ones. Does anyone have any recommendations or sources for the new heads and possibly a big-bore kit too (since everything will be apart and all anyways)?
Also, can anyone tell me if getting the cylinder heads bored out would be worth the cost? I don't need the performance boost but I'm not opposed to it either... Would I have to change pistons, pushrods, cams and/or other components as well?
Any advice and insight is greatly appreciated, thanks!
I managed to ruin the cylinder heads on my bike while changing the exhaust. Broke a stud in the front head then did a bad drill out to try to remove it. I actually fixed this but then I pulled out all the threads on the rear head putting the exhaust back on. I tried to re-tap it with bigger threads but for one reason or another I couldn't get it right.
I'm going to cut my losses with the current heads and get new ones. Does anyone have any recommendations or sources for the new heads and possibly a big-bore kit too (since everything will be apart and all anyways)?
Also, can anyone tell me if getting the cylinder heads bored out would be worth the cost? I don't need the performance boost but I'm not opposed to it either... Would I have to change pistons, pushrods, cams and/or other components as well?
Any advice and insight is greatly appreciated, thanks!
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 894
Likes: 25
From: Jacksonville FL
2012 Sportster 48, 3,500 miles
I managed to ruin the cylinder heads on my bike while changing the exhaust. Broke a stud in the front head then did a bad drill out to try to remove it. I actually fixed this but then I pulled out all the threads on the rear head putting the exhaust back on. I tried to re-tap it with bigger threads but for one reason or another I couldn't get it right.
I'm going to cut my losses with the current heads and get new ones. Does anyone have any recommendations
!
I managed to ruin the cylinder heads on my bike while changing the exhaust. Broke a stud in the front head then did a bad drill out to try to remove it. I actually fixed this but then I pulled out all the threads on the rear head putting the exhaust back on. I tried to re-tap it with bigger threads but for one reason or another I couldn't get it right.
I'm going to cut my losses with the current heads and get new ones. Does anyone have any recommendations
!
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 520
Likes: 37
From: houston, tx
I had a machine shop remove my studs, two came out with persuasion and two snapped off. Both were drilled and helicoiled, no hassles... Helicoil it and be done, to install the helicoils you have to go to an even larger tap. A this point a motorcycle machine shop would have the experience to install them at the proper angles. $20 maybe for the labor?
Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Thanks everyone! I thought I was in deep **** but I guess it's not as bad as I thought it was. Really thought the only solution was getting new heads but if it can be fixed and save me a ton of money in the process then that's the way I'm gonna go
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,849
Likes: 1,389
From: Florida
You want this guy to remove and install his heads after repair? He couldn't even do an exhaust swap. Your best bet for you is to buy a new set of heads from s&s and have a bike mechanic put them on before you break something else
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