Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help with chrome engine kit...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 25, 2008 | 07:34 PM
  #1  
Skrimshaw's Avatar
Skrimshaw
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Summerfield, Florida
Default Help with chrome engine kit...

My wife got me the chrome engine kit for my standard. I was wondering if anyone has installed a full kit before. I am not the best when it comes to engines, so, need to know is it as easy as draining oil, swapping some screws or is it intense?
Also, would someone know what a dealership charge is to install it?
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2008 | 08:35 PM
  #2  
beaureed445's Avatar
beaureed445
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 6
From: Edmond, Ok
Default

Congrats....what a nice wife. I had mine put on at the same time I added the Big Bore. Indy wrench didn't charge me to put it on, since all of the parts were already off. If I'm not mistaking, a dealership will probably try to charge you about 8 hrs labor. The hardest part is the tranny top cover. I think most dealerships will pull your oil tank off to get that piece on. Good luck....post pics when it's done.
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2008 | 08:43 PM
  #3  
57RebelRocker's Avatar
57RebelRocker
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,280
Likes: 3
From: Portland Oregon
Default

Congrats on chrome kit and can't wait to see pics when done.
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2008 | 09:46 PM
  #4  
Blk and Chrome's Avatar
Blk and Chrome
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
Default

What a good wife you have there. Nice gift. +1 on the pics when done
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2008 | 09:48 PM
  #5  
anubisss's Avatar
anubisss
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

Take it slow and always remember one bolt at a time...
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2008 | 10:06 PM
  #6  
tmitchellof PG's Avatar
tmitchellof PG
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
Likes: 11
From: Punta Gorda,FL
Default

If you don't want to tackle it yourself, you might compare, what an independent shop wants ,compared to what the dealership wants. Make sure to buy a service manual, if you decide to do it yourself.
If it was me, after I got the quote from the dealership, for the labor cost, that would definitely give me the incentive to tackle it myself.
Good luck,
Tom
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2008 | 10:44 PM
  #7  
xxxflhrci's Avatar
xxxflhrci
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Default

The primary, cam cover, and tranny top are simple. The tranny end isn't tough, but requires a set of large snap rings to remove the clutch cable. For the rockers and lifter blocks, you gotta remove the tank and do a lot of disassembly to the top end. You are gonna need a service manual. You need to follow the instructions. A special torque adapter is called for for a couple of bolts that you can't get to with a torque wrench.


I have a buddy that did it all without reading the manual. He called me up in the middle of the night in a panic because when he started his bike it was thrashing like it had a collapsed lifter. I went over at 1 am and and started walking him thru the install. He had not bothered to rotate the wheel to close the valve when he tightend the rocker arms to spec. The valve spring caused it to have too much lash. It sounded pretty nasty when it was running.
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2008 | 10:45 PM
  #8  
wildman67's Avatar
wildman67
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,853
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Talking

Originally Posted by Skrimshaw
My wife got me the chrome engine kit for my standard. I was wondering if anyone has installed a full kit before. I am not the best when it comes to engines, so, need to know is it as easy as draining oil, swapping some screws or is it intense?
Also, would someone know what a dealership charge is to install it?
If you are somewhat mechanicaly inclined buy a maual and do it yourself. I was afraid to try anything at first. but the more I do the more comforatable I get. the best part is if you run into any problem's, someone on here can alway's give you a helping hand!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 26, 2008 | 12:22 AM
  #9  
5speedblu's Avatar
5speedblu
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Good Old "New England"
Default

you can do it!!! loc tite & torque wrench are good things to have.

as far as special tools (beside the ones listed above ) you will need a snap ring pliers but they are cheap and have a few uses.

dont let anyone scare you out of it, if you got the time and can understand a shop book you can do it!!!

good luck
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2008 | 07:10 AM
  #10  
mojojones's Avatar
mojojones
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
Default

I did all of mine with the help of the manual. The most detailed part was the replacement of the rocker boxes and lifter covers. You have to find TDC with each cylinder (that's easy) and you need the dogbone adapter for 2 bolts. You do the cylinders one at a time......finish one start the next. Tank has to come off too.
The tranny top cover I did when I swapped the oil tank out for a chrome one.....with the oil tank out it's a snap! Everything else was simple; just use the manual for the sequence pattern to tighten the bolts.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:03 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE