I have a 87 FXRT that I have owned now for almost 10 years, and has been in the family since 88. a week before the 105th it start to make some noises that I have never heard before. I admit I am far from mechanicaly incline, but dont think the noises are anything good. I have found a gentleman on craigslist that is selling a EVO motor and I'm thinking of maybe buying it to swap out my motor, and over the winter maybe make a project out of it and start to learn about it and tear it down myself. My question is, how do I know if this EVO motor he has for sale is going to fit into my RT? I'm looking for any help I can get on what I need to do to find out if this will work.

 

First off, all Harley evos are the same as far as fit goes. If it was me, I would investigate your old motor noises, may be a lifter roller, or compensator. Replacing the engine at this point may be overkill. My own feelings are that I would not buy a used Harley evo, aside from not knowing it's history or condition, having someone elses vin number on your bike could be a problem if later on that other bike gets reported stolen. If you are serious about buying an engine, either a new Harley evo or S&S or Ultima really would make more sense. You could run the new engine in your bike, and keep the original in case you may want to sell the bike later on. Just my opinion.

 

I'd go along with bigtone

 

The motor is from a project bike a guy was working on. I have only seen pictures of the motor, but he tells me it has just been rebuilt. thats kind of what I wanted to do with keeping the old one, fixing it, and having it for later down the road if I need it. I honestly dont see myself ever selling the bike. It was my first.

 

$2000 can get you an H-D factory rebuild on your motor if it indeed needs a rebuild.
http://www.hotbikeweb.com/tech/0710_...ons/index.html

How many miles on the engine?,Evos are damn tough engines it may just need a fresh top end.

 

i agree. you need to find out what the noise is before you go replacing the entire engine.

 

The '87 block is a very good evo block. I would use it as a base for a rebuild. Do a slight overbore new pistons, rings, have the bottom end checked out, a "street" job done on the heads, new lifters, pushrods, Woods cam, new cam bearing, and maybe an ignition and you will have a bike that runs well

 

Before you buy another engine check out the thread Ultima 107" motor on a '90 bagger - a lot of good information and it may be cheaper in the long run to get you additional power..

 

You don't say how many miles you have on it, I'd start by taking the cam chest down and replacing the cam bearing, be sure that is all up to par and then do the heads. Mine made all kinds of noise after 100k....it was the rocker shafts that were worn out. These motors are cheap to fix and your 87 is about as good as they came. Just have someone go through it, it'll be cheaper....and still be your motor in it.

Post a pic of that beauty.

 

I want to thank you ALL for your input. You have helped me decieded to keep the motor and just have it fixed. I'll keep ya posted on what I find out on the problem with it, and what I all have done to it. Thanks again!