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Engine Mechanical TopicsDiscussion 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.
To OP, I've heard stories of case alignment being off in some cases too. I don't think it's due to them not doing line boring but more due to them possibly loosening up the tolerances plus these motors see a lot of heat.. The cases shift.. If you're building a say a 124, I'd have the case alignment checked and case cylinder surfaces decked. You'll be boring them anyway.
You should be able to tell if the cases are matched as there is a number stamped in the bottom of each case that should match..
Last edited by Max Headflow; Mar 28, 2023 at 10:16 AM.
Before responding please, ask yourself, "does my response include a fact based answer to the specific question asked?" If the answer to that question is no, please refrain from commenting. Opinions are great things, but that's not what I'm looking for today. If you don't know how to help, start with staying out of the way.
I was planning on doing a timken conversion on my 09' FLHTCU. Another rider I was speaking to said that when Harley went to the left side roller bearing they also began having the left and right case halves manufactured separately and as a result the left side bore is often not true and needs trued to the right side before the conversion can be done.
I hadn't heard this mentioned in the YouTube videos I watched or a few articles I read. So, naturally I wanted to check with some other folks on this.
Thank you for the feedback
bikerpiper
I love what you said in the first paragraph. I wish people would do that on all answers to people looking for an answer to a question.
Whoever said going to an S&S crank requires a tapered bearing needs their head examined. *** DELETED ***
I have an S&S crank. It was installed by someone from S&S. He refuses to do a timken conversion!
There are no known or documented cases of a lefty bearing failure! Or of any benefit of a tapered over the lefty. John at darkhorse has been quoted as saying the tapered bearing CAN affect self alignment of a crank depending on each case. It is due to the cases no longer being line bored according to Darkhorse as I recall. It is why they need both case halves.
I would like to know the end play used by those doing these conversions to assure proper alignment.
Not sure this meets the OPs standards of an expected reply.
Last edited by BuzzCap7; Mar 28, 2023 at 05:09 PM.
Reason: Insulting.
Thank you for the reply, but again: I'm looking to get a specific question answered, which you too failed to do in your response.
The question is:
In installing a timken bearing conversion, does the left side bore require trueing to bring it in proper tolerance of the right side?
I did it to a 2011 Road King, went with an S&S forged crank and a Timken conversion on the left side. But I can't help because you seem to be pretty particular.
Hi Thebikerpiper! I have done the Timken converts by Jims tool and insert. You do it from the old bore in the left crankcase. No need for boring and truing of the crankcase. Sincerely Peder.
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