Changing heads
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
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Changing heads
Hi guys, i´m a new member to this forum and i´m restoring a 89 softail
I was thinking about replacing the heads to 93 and newer ones.
I was hoping to get a better breathing and easier to get hold of aircleaners. Is it a direct replacement or is there a lot of things to concider?
thanks
Anders in Sweden
I was thinking about replacing the heads to 93 and newer ones.
I was hoping to get a better breathing and easier to get hold of aircleaners. Is it a direct replacement or is there a lot of things to concider?
thanks
Anders in Sweden
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,202
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
I have not had a breathing problem. I don't think the top breathers made all that much difference, and it is 2 more things to break on you. What problems are you having with air cleaners? As far as I know, all you need to do is find the right bolt or maybe open up the mounting hole some to fit a later air cleaner. And you would still have a bottom breathing bottom end, so you would have a top and bottom breather and need to run hoses accordingly.
Anyway, I think you are making a lot of work for very little, if any, improvement.
Anyway, I think you are making a lot of work for very little, if any, improvement.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,441
Likes: 2,637
From: NC USA
Hi guys, i´m a new member to this forum and i´m restoring a 89 softail
I was thinking about replacing the heads to 93 and newer ones.
I was hoping to get a better breathing and easier to get hold of aircleaners. Is it a direct replacement or is there a lot of things to concider?
thanks
Anders in Sweden
I was thinking about replacing the heads to 93 and newer ones.
I was hoping to get a better breathing and easier to get hold of aircleaners. Is it a direct replacement or is there a lot of things to concider?
thanks
Anders in Sweden
But to answer the last question, yes, late model heads WILL bolt directly on the engine with no other modifications necessary beyond the air cleaner mounting hole changes as mentioned. You can use late heads with older rocker covers and retain the "bottom breather" system and/or make it a "top & bottom" breather setup if you use late style rocker covers.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
You might be opening a can of worms by using newer heads. My '93 had oil leakage problems from the head breathers. And even after I had a reman motor put in it started again of course after the warranty wore off. But only Happened after long 65-75 mph highway rides. If you were going to do this just so you can use a new style air cleaner, you might just want to change the carb and work from there. Good used evo heads are hard to come by anyway.,,
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
I have to agree here.....
In my opinion, bottom breathing was a better setup along with the oil filter underneath.
In my opinion, bottom breathing was a better setup along with the oil filter underneath.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,874
From: Upstate New York
I agree. The top breather setup means that your air cleaner is continuosly oiled by the breathers. It's been a pain in the butt as long as I've owned the bike.
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