Twin cam reliability.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
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From: SE Michigan
Just yankin yer chain.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 14,866
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From: Whiskey Falls, Texas
I'm looking in to purchasing a harley. I'm coming here to ask for personal experiences with twin cam engines,I would like to hear mainly about factory bore engines,88",96",103". I would be keeping the bike stock internally besides the possible addition of a mild cam sometime down the road. I'm mainly interested on what has changed in the newer years. I'm mainly interested in buying a 2010+ dyna wide glide with a 96" or a 103". I am worried about the issue of excessive crankshaft runout and the cam chain tensioner issue. I would still like to know about the improvements and new issues in the newer engine.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Another recent thread discussing the same thing for a little more info: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...11-issues.html
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 361
Likes: 386
From: CO
My '03 88tc has a 95" kit and gear drive cams. Not stock and not an answer to your question, but in reference to the 96" is a dog comment, for an 850lb bike mine is far from a dog. I think if you got a 96 and put in a cam like you'd already mentioned you'd be doing just fine. I'm not saying it's R1 fast, but it's hauling twice the weight and it gets up and goes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Michigan
I've owned two T/C 88 engines (one was a garage queen) but I can only speak for my '00 UC.
I had it upgraded with the "95" Big Bore kit and it made the bike feel 200#s lighter and much more nimble.
No serious engine problems ever and at 75,000 miles I had the S/E Hydraulic Cam adjusters and H.O. oil pump installed and I sold it at 77,000+ miles (got a new bike) and the guy that I sold it to had the heads worked on and a new S&S EFI unit installed and he was dyno-ing almost as much HP & TQ as my 110!
My only experience(s) with the T/C 96 engine is my wife at first complained about the excessive heat on her '08 Heritage.
After installing the mid-frame heat deflectors and adding V&H short shot exhaust with a tuner, she has been happy with her bike.
My riding partner bought a new '10 UC with the T/C 96 engine and he complained about the excessive heat from Day 1.
It wasn't too long before he had to have (under warranty) the upper end rebuilt (and upgraded) to a 103 with new cams and true duals (eliminating the converter) and he was finally happy with the bike but my old bike with the 95 Big Bore kit would pull away from him, especially on inclines.
IF I was in the market for a T/C I'd definitely search for a 103 that has been well taken care of.
I had it upgraded with the "95" Big Bore kit and it made the bike feel 200#s lighter and much more nimble.
No serious engine problems ever and at 75,000 miles I had the S/E Hydraulic Cam adjusters and H.O. oil pump installed and I sold it at 77,000+ miles (got a new bike) and the guy that I sold it to had the heads worked on and a new S&S EFI unit installed and he was dyno-ing almost as much HP & TQ as my 110!
My only experience(s) with the T/C 96 engine is my wife at first complained about the excessive heat on her '08 Heritage.
After installing the mid-frame heat deflectors and adding V&H short shot exhaust with a tuner, she has been happy with her bike.
My riding partner bought a new '10 UC with the T/C 96 engine and he complained about the excessive heat from Day 1.
It wasn't too long before he had to have (under warranty) the upper end rebuilt (and upgraded) to a 103 with new cams and true duals (eliminating the converter) and he was finally happy with the bike but my old bike with the 95 Big Bore kit would pull away from him, especially on inclines.
IF I was in the market for a T/C I'd definitely search for a 103 that has been well taken care of.
Supporter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 344
From: Brick NJ
Nothing wrong with a TC 96, most say it’s a dog because in 07 Harley changed the rear sprocket from 70 tooth to 66 tooth reducing gearing making it kinda lazy. Also the stock 96” cam is just too mild. Just a simple Andrews 48 cam and a 70 tooth rear sprocket and it’s a totally different bike.
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,861
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From: Lafayette, Louisiana
It is also worth mentioning that the 110 ran hotter and I have seen more threads with 110 problems than I have with others, but I have no first hand experience.
I did some test riding of a few twin cams out of curiosity and they werent bad, but I liked my Evo a lot more.
I also tried an early M8 street glide and I felt like the throttle response was much better in it than it was on any of the twin cams I tried that day. The throttle response was more immediate like my Evo, but I still preferred my Evo for other reasons.
A lot of guys like the twin cam Dynas.
I did some test riding of a few twin cams out of curiosity and they werent bad, but I liked my Evo a lot more.
I also tried an early M8 street glide and I felt like the throttle response was much better in it than it was on any of the twin cams I tried that day. The throttle response was more immediate like my Evo, but I still preferred my Evo for other reasons.
A lot of guys like the twin cam Dynas.
