So what is better CNC or having it done by hand?
I can see that the CNC head would have more "equal" runners compared to a 40 year old hand or older do the work. NO OFFENSE GUYS just a joke.
SO what is it? You got technique compared to the consistancy of a machine.

 

A CNC machined port, is usually a laser digitized copy, from a "master" head, that was hand ported, by a highly skilled craftsman, that has decades of perfecting that skill.
Another thing I will add, is that a great port, can be buggered by a poor valve job, and/or valve shape.
A bad port is usually not helped by anything, although.
Scott

 

When getting porting done today, and I have been around this for almost 50 years now,
go with either a Master Porter who has a ---very good reputation--- or a name brand shop who as Hillside said, uses a CNC copy of a Master's work.

Just saying "CNC" really doesn't mean anything of substance. CNC means there is real "potential" there if used well.

These guys that are around the, "Horse Power Shootouts, at various ralleys are good places to look for people that know how to port Harley heads. Top few places anyway.

 

scotts right,CNC porting is copied off a known good port design.any CNC ported head can also be improved on by hand finishing.

 

We are considering having our Stage III, and Stage IV heads laser scanned, and roughed-in on a Millport 5-axis CNC milling machine, at this time, as we CANNOT stay up with the demand and work load here.
Only reason for this will be turn-around time.
Scott

 

Go for it Scott! Good for you.

BD

 

That sounds real good. And I can see why.

I can only imagene the time spent on the hand porting of my heads. I really don't see how someone can really do this, really, really well, and be timely.

 

We certainly earn every penny.
The hours we put in here, are just shy of setting up a kitchen, bath, and sleeping quarters, but WILL NOT sacrifice quality for instant turn around time, as our almost 30 years in business has not been based on poor quality.
What we do, is what we'd want on our own bikes.
That said, time to get back in the machine shop.
Scott

 

Not all cnc ported heads are reverse engineered, the heads we use are first designed in Mastercam and transfered directly to a 5 axis cnc machine. This method is used by many Nascar teams.

 

Live application results, with the engine dynamics in play, has determined how we chase it down, as in reality, the flow bench is only a still picture, of what is going on, during the whole movie.
Many ways to get around the barn.
We like to come in the front door, and drive right out the back.
Works real good for us here.
Scott