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We’ll seeings how Ultimas we’re made here in the US and the steel is way stronger and better machined then the S&S stuff I’ve had to fix, I’ll assume you weren’t t talking about mine.
Far as I’m concerned Ultima was the absolute bar none best cases made. I’ve had S&S, Delkron and STD. Didn’t know how many cracked S&S 113 heads are out there… but a bunch.. don’t know how many race bearings spin in the case and don’t hold from S&S but a bunch. Don’t know how many STD heads were machined like they were core shifted and you spent double the money fixing them.. but a bunch. You know the simple 1981 heads they copied and mass produced with the core shift.
‘I’ve never seen a cracked Ultima head, main bearing either. Not to mention their rods are top notch. The only questionable things really from Ultima were an early defective run on pistons and lifters.. there was also a couple years the rocker arms were questionable. All in all I’d take Ultima over any other aftermarket Harley regardless of price.
Last edited by Rains2much; Oct 7, 2025 at 11:39 AM.
We’ll seeings how Ultimas we’re made here in the US and the steel is way stronger and better machined then the S&S stuff I’ve had to fix, I’ll assume you weren’t t talking about mine.
Far as I’m concerned Ultima was the absolute bar none best cases made. I’ve had S&S, Delkron and STD. Didn’t know how many cracked S&S 113 heads are out there… but a bunch.. don’t know how many race bearings spin in the case and don’t hold from S&S but a bunch. Don’t know how many STD heads were machined like they were core shifted and you spent double the money fixing them.. but a bunch. You know the simple 1981 heads they copied and mass produced with the core shift.
‘I’ve never seen a cracked Ultima head, main bearing either. Not to mention their rods are top notch. The only questionable things really from Ultima were an early defective run on pistons and lifters.. there was also a couple years the rocker arms were questionable. All in all I’d take Ultima over any other aftermarket Harley regardless of price.
Certainly has Not been my experience in 15 years of Shop ownership, and over 25 Years of Sanctioning National Harley Drag Races.. But, There always exceptions.. so...Glad You like em...even if have Never Seen Ultima, Claimed to be USA Manufactured!!
Note; It does seem that S&S is on a Downward Trend most Recently...But, Maybe (as has happened in the Past) Maybe Top Management will change back to where it Was!!
Just as an FYI so we can end that ridiculous rumor. It’s been said a lot usually by people who are very loyal to SNS and had bad experiences with Revtech. Not blaming racepress… it’s been a smear campaign by their competitors for years. It’s easy to hear it and repeat it.
Basically EL Bruto motors were the engineering marvel that at one time was TP Engineering. Ken Fancis left TP Engineering and Joined Midwest to design, market and manufacture Ultima.
Last edited by Rains2much; Oct 8, 2025 at 01:58 PM.
So...You claim that Kenny Francis (someone I have known since the mid '90's) turned his TP engine into an Ultima???
And they are Manufactured in USA??? I do Not Mean "assembled"...
So...You claim that Kenny Francis (someone I have known since the mid '90's) turned his TP engine into an Ultima???
And they are Manufactured in USA??? I do Not Mean "assembled"...
You yourself have just said it. Yes.. that is correct so to speak. He took his knowledge, connections to Midwest. He was instrumental in their development. Much of it is similar to designs used by TP Engineering.
”some” parts (just like S&S at times) are parts made by someone else like pistons and lifters… and those parts might be built anywhere. Ultima used USA forgeries for cases, heads and many other components. The machine work was done in Missouri in-house. The assembly was done in house in Missouri. And when they have had problems with the bad batch of pistons and lifters, guess what, they were made by other vendors, not themselves. The same as many companies using Ross or other brand pistons.
Last edited by Rains2much; Oct 8, 2025 at 01:59 PM.
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