Head Work Questions
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 187
Likes: 5
From: SE London/Kent Borders UK
Head Work Questions
Hi Guys, winter mods all finished im now looking at what i should be saving for at the end of the year!
On my list is some sort of headwork to liven her up even more, so what do people recomend?
I guess there are two choices a set of off the shelf heads, Screamin Eagle or S&S is what i have looked at so far, both around the same sort of price (here in the UK!)
Or
Send existing heads of to have some work on them, the below is what i have in mind
difference in cost between the two is around Ł300 (or about $500) more for the new heads but i can sell my existing low mileage heads to offset half of that.
Also what else should i be considering doing at the same time, i guess i have to have a new set of adjustable pushrods as im still running the stock solids.
Spec so far is
EV13 cam (new torrington)
Hi-4E ignition
supertrapps with stock headers (true duals are on the list)
Stock carb, jetted to suit
Hi flow filter
On my list is some sort of headwork to liven her up even more, so what do people recomend?
I guess there are two choices a set of off the shelf heads, Screamin Eagle or S&S is what i have looked at so far, both around the same sort of price (here in the UK!)
Or
Send existing heads of to have some work on them, the below is what i have in mind
Service consists of bowl blending work and replacing the stock valves with high flow 1.9 inch intake and 1.61 inch exhausts while retaining the stock springs and guides. A multi angle valve job is performed with a radius on the exhaust and then the heads are milled to set compression to match the cam.
Also what else should i be considering doing at the same time, i guess i have to have a new set of adjustable pushrods as im still running the stock solids.
Spec so far is
EV13 cam (new torrington)
Hi-4E ignition
supertrapps with stock headers (true duals are on the list)
Stock carb, jetted to suit
Hi flow filter
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,077
Likes: 2,148
From: Ohio
Send a email to the gentleman listed below, straight shooter, flys under the radar on self promotion and one of the most respected Harley engine/head builders. John will breakdown your different head concerns and shoots for real world riding situations, I'm a picky with my ride and trusted John against my beliefs on heads and John was right with his suggestions and learned alot from him.
SACHS RACE BIKES
1601 N.W. 99 AVENUE
PLANTATION FL 33322
954-473-2980
dynalee@bellsouth.net
SACHS RACE BIKES
1601 N.W. 99 AVENUE
PLANTATION FL 33322
954-473-2980
dynalee@bellsouth.net
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Hi Neil, I recommend contacting a headwork company and talking things through with them. They will advise cams, compression ratio etc and port your own heads so you get a matched and known working package, to suit your requirements. There are a few suitable firms that get mentioned on our favourite UK forum!
Screamin Eagle Heads
Neil
As mentioned above talk to a professional they will advise you the best way to go, I would say probably skim the standard heads to suit your cam, set the squish correctly, cut multi angle seats, replace springs and valve seals.
This is what i discovered recently regarding the Screamin Eagle Heads.
This was based on using a SE-57 cam, altough it has more lift that your cam the following must be looked into, if you are not confident to do it your self pay someone (professional) to do it for you, personaly i would not go down this route again (although the bike does go some) you can get very close to what i have and spend a lot less money!!!! If you want the Screamin Eagle heads ring around dealers play them off against each others you will be amazed what price you can get them for!
Well I have to tell you that the Screamin Eagle heads needed quite a lot of work, after removing the powder coating from the ports and combustion chamber, I decided to get them Blue Printed and 3 angle valve seats cut.
The valve to valve to valve clearance at TDC was a major issue with the SE57 cam, basically there was virtually none, metal had to be ground off the valves to provide the minimum 40 thou clearance, the valve springs fitted were tested and measured, the seat preasure was higher than HD say (155 lbs) tested at 180 lbs at 1.800 installed spring height, and the valve seals had to be replaced also worth noting is that one of the original seals had not been fitted correctly it was not pushed right on to the guide. The valve to piston clearance worked out ok with a 40 thou cometic gaskit fitted.
As mentioned above talk to a professional they will advise you the best way to go, I would say probably skim the standard heads to suit your cam, set the squish correctly, cut multi angle seats, replace springs and valve seals.
This is what i discovered recently regarding the Screamin Eagle Heads.
This was based on using a SE-57 cam, altough it has more lift that your cam the following must be looked into, if you are not confident to do it your self pay someone (professional) to do it for you, personaly i would not go down this route again (although the bike does go some) you can get very close to what i have and spend a lot less money!!!! If you want the Screamin Eagle heads ring around dealers play them off against each others you will be amazed what price you can get them for!
Well I have to tell you that the Screamin Eagle heads needed quite a lot of work, after removing the powder coating from the ports and combustion chamber, I decided to get them Blue Printed and 3 angle valve seats cut.
The valve to valve to valve clearance at TDC was a major issue with the SE57 cam, basically there was virtually none, metal had to be ground off the valves to provide the minimum 40 thou clearance, the valve springs fitted were tested and measured, the seat preasure was higher than HD say (155 lbs) tested at 180 lbs at 1.800 installed spring height, and the valve seals had to be replaced also worth noting is that one of the original seals had not been fitted correctly it was not pushed right on to the guide. The valve to piston clearance worked out ok with a 40 thou cometic gaskit fitted.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 187
Likes: 5
From: SE London/Kent Borders UK
Thanks for the input Guys, have spoken to a head specialist here in the UK and a bit of basic work on my existing heads seems to be the way to go.
I still like the idea of the screamin eagle heads, purely because it gives me more room for improvement if i want to up the compression etc further down the road but unless a set turn up between now and the end of the year on the cheap then im sticking with getting mine sorted!
I still like the idea of the screamin eagle heads, purely because it gives me more room for improvement if i want to up the compression etc further down the road but unless a set turn up between now and the end of the year on the cheap then im sticking with getting mine sorted!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,077
Likes: 2,148
From: Ohio
Thanks for the input Guys, have spoken to a head specialist here in the UK and a bit of basic work on my existing heads seems to be the way to go.
I still like the idea of the screamin eagle heads, purely because it gives me more room for improvement if i want to up the compression etc further down the road but unless a set turn up between now and the end of the year on the cheap then im sticking with getting mine sorted!
I still like the idea of the screamin eagle heads, purely because it gives me more room for improvement if i want to up the compression etc further down the road but unless a set turn up between now and the end of the year on the cheap then im sticking with getting mine sorted!
Great bolt on heads to up a stock compression engine and can be ported for big upper HP, costs $700 purchase plus $300-$400 for cleanup, your head specialist is being honest with you as I have been down this road and the stock heads have more expandability until 100 cubes come in.
This is just an opinion and you should base your decision on your opinion, that's the one that counts.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Thanks for the input Guys, have spoken to a head specialist here in the UK and a bit of basic work on my existing heads seems to be the way to go.
I still like the idea of the screamin eagle heads, purely because it gives me more room for improvement if i want to up the compression etc further down the road but unless a set turn up between now and the end of the year on the cheap then im sticking with getting mine sorted!
I still like the idea of the screamin eagle heads, purely because it gives me more room for improvement if i want to up the compression etc further down the road but unless a set turn up between now and the end of the year on the cheap then im sticking with getting mine sorted!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 187
Likes: 5
From: SE London/Kent Borders UK
Jolly wise choice old chap! You can probably get all you need from the stock heads, with reworking, plus CR and cams. If they are not enough, then you need more cubic inches. S&S make a sweet little 145 if you find you're really stuck for go, plus slightly smaller ones....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
I am not a fan of big inch motors, pain in the butt if you ask me.....best Harley motor I know of for rideability is a 1996 1340 with an S&S carby and a rumblesticks sidecar cam.....would pull a house down with the right rear tyre. It gives the impression of being a much larger motor due to the massive torque....and remember boys and girls, unless you are Valentino Rossi or Burt Munroe, most of those horsepower you are paying for will never get used..... its like paying for Kobe beef and only eating the vegetables...I'm just saying....