Getting new engine to turn
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
Getting new engine to turn
Hey there Harley friends!
So I just got my new 103ci all installed in my 2013 Street Glide. Before I put the outer primary back on, I wanted to make sure everything turns as it should. I added some gear oil to the chain and I'm attempting to start it without the plugs in, just to get it to turn.
It really struggles to turn. It's like the battery doesn't have enough juice to get it to turn with enough force. I bought a new battery and the new battery does the same. It's got awesome compression and you can hear the pistons going up and down and firing, but for some reason, it doesn't get enough juice to really turn as it should. It's just like barely turning.
I'm wondering if I might have tightened the compensator bolt too tight or something? Does anyone have thoughts as to why it would struggle to turn? I've obviously added fluids and everything has been reassembled to specs.
Thanks
So I just got my new 103ci all installed in my 2013 Street Glide. Before I put the outer primary back on, I wanted to make sure everything turns as it should. I added some gear oil to the chain and I'm attempting to start it without the plugs in, just to get it to turn.
It really struggles to turn. It's like the battery doesn't have enough juice to get it to turn with enough force. I bought a new battery and the new battery does the same. It's got awesome compression and you can hear the pistons going up and down and firing, but for some reason, it doesn't get enough juice to really turn as it should. It's just like barely turning.
I'm wondering if I might have tightened the compensator bolt too tight or something? Does anyone have thoughts as to why it would struggle to turn? I've obviously added fluids and everything has been reassembled to specs.
Thanks
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,315
Likes: 1,663
From: Tampa
How much compression does it have in each cylinder?
You pulled the plugs, but you say there's good compression, which means to me you've got at least one of the cylinders plugged with the comp tester.
You pulled the plugs, but you say there's good compression, which means to me you've got at least one of the cylinders plugged with the comp tester.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 952
Likes: 528
From: Richmond TX
Serious issue somewhere. A fresh battery and (assumed) good start motor should spin any build with plugs out at a good clip. Seems like something is binding. Bent rods? What's the engine history? Ugh!
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
I'm a dumbass. I meant to say when the plugs are in it struggles to turn. With the plugs out it turns like crazy. When I put the plugs in it struggles.
I've never had a Harley with ACRs before. They both appear to be connected though if those are the wires coming out of the heads and then they connect to the wire harness.
I hear a couple of clicking noises like they're trying to engage when the bike tries to start, but not sure. Any ideas?
Thanks!
I've never had a Harley with ACRs before. They both appear to be connected though if those are the wires coming out of the heads and then they connect to the wire harness.
I hear a couple of clicking noises like they're trying to engage when the bike tries to start, but not sure. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,315
Likes: 1,663
From: Tampa
That's normal then. The Harley starter is much too anemic to crank over even a hot 88" let alone the 103". That's why the 103" comes with compression releases.
One problem with them on the Harley is if the engine cranking lowers the battery voltage enough to kill the operation of the ECM, the ACR's stop working too and make the engine ever harder to crank over. Bad design, why they're not wired to the starter solenoid is beyond me.
One problem with them on the Harley is if the engine cranking lowers the battery voltage enough to kill the operation of the ECM, the ACR's stop working too and make the engine ever harder to crank over. Bad design, why they're not wired to the starter solenoid is beyond me.
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