Softail motor?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,917
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From:
RE: Softail motor?
Howartthou, I wouldn't worry to much about the 88b engine because they are to many out there that have not had trouble,I have asked my service tech if they have had any engine of the 88b's fail and his reply was hell no,a service rep at another dealer said that they had found some shoe's on a chain tensioner wore after 18000 mile's but no problem's after that,I guess what I'm trying to say is enjoy your Heritage and after 15000 mile's or so let the dealer check the chain's and or put in some gear drive's on the cam's,like I said before mine is under warranty for 4 yrs. so I'm going to ride and enjoy.[sm=goodidea.gif]
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 190
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From: Australia
RE: Softail motor?
ORIGINAL: Tn.Heritage
Howartthou, I wouldn't worry to much about the 88b engine because they are to many out there that have not had trouble,I have asked my service tech if they have had any engine of the 88b's fail and his reply was hell no,a service rep at another dealer said that they had found some shoe's on a chain tensioner wore after 18000 mile's but no problem's after that,I guess what I'm trying to say is enjoy your Heritage and after 15000 mile's or so let the dealer check the chain's and or put in some gear drive's on the cam's,like I said before mine is under warranty for 4 yrs. so I'm going to ride and enjoy.[sm=goodidea.gif]
Howartthou, I wouldn't worry to much about the 88b engine because they are to many out there that have not had trouble,I have asked my service tech if they have had any engine of the 88b's fail and his reply was hell no,a service rep at another dealer said that they had found some shoe's on a chain tensioner wore after 18000 mile's but no problem's after that,I guess what I'm trying to say is enjoy your Heritage and after 15000 mile's or so let the dealer check the chain's and or put in some gear drive's on the cam's,like I said before mine is under warranty for 4 yrs. so I'm going to ride and enjoy.[sm=goodidea.gif]
Thanks for the tip but the reassurance part of your answer isn't what I am looking for i.e. enjoy and don't worry. What you said that really interested me was:
1. Some shoes on the chain tensioner wore after 18,000 miles.
2. After 15,000 miles get the dealer to check the chains or put some gear drive's on the cam.
Don't forget I don't know much about mechanics but those 2 points you just casually made are probably EXACTLY what I have been looking for! I am a little excited that you may have just given me the solution or at least something positive to investigate (I wonder what BClem would say about this one...are you out there BClem?).
I think that after about 15,000 miles or so I could tell the dealer to get rid of the chains and replace them with gears (if this really is possible) and then there is no "oil pressure / chain tensioner destroying the engine" thing to worry about ever again. Right?
If this is correct then why the hec isn't Harley doing it? I mean why aren't they shipping them with gears as stock instead of chains and chain tensioners?? [
]And before you tell me to relax, I am sorry I can't, not until I have a solution or understand what all my options are.[&:]
If you could confirm the above (i.e. can you replace the chains with gears and if so why isn't Harley doing that?) I would appreciate it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,473
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Softail motor?
Replacing the chain driven cams with gear cams is a common solution. S&S is one of the outfits that make them. HD went to chain driven cams due to the %&***$#@*%^&%^^$ EPA and their noise level rules. Chains are quieter than gears.
I've talked with people whose tensioner shoes were worn as early as 14k miles, and to guys whose shoes are still good after 100k miles. And the difference is ? Beats me. Ride it, enjoy it, have 'em checked somewhere down the line, and go to the gears ($), or not!
I haven't seen the inside of the B motor. Are the counterbalancers on the same chain as the cams? I was under the impression they were on a seperate chain setup. Who's got the straight skinny?
I've talked with people whose tensioner shoes were worn as early as 14k miles, and to guys whose shoes are still good after 100k miles. And the difference is ? Beats me. Ride it, enjoy it, have 'em checked somewhere down the line, and go to the gears ($), or not!
I haven't seen the inside of the B motor. Are the counterbalancers on the same chain as the cams? I was under the impression they were on a seperate chain setup. Who's got the straight skinny?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
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From:
RE: Softail motor?
I don't think there on the same chain,actually I think that chain is on the other side of the engine and as far as I have heard there is no gear's at this time to fix the balancer issue as far as replacing the chain's on them but the only problem I've heard with the balancer's is spinning the gear on the shaft by down shifting real hard. Howartthou the reason the balancer's will do this is (example) pretend the balacer's are a heavy flywheel and it take's some grunt to get it spinning,so after it's going and you try to slow it down real fast by grabbing it with your's hand's something will probally break [], now I don't think the balancer chain's are that bad but it's sort of the same,just don't gear down real fast running 90 mph, you see what I mean,as for the tensioner's on the cam chain's if I was that worried that something was going to happen work a deal out with your dealer to put, gear drive's in before picking it up, that problem will be solved. Also call Harley Davidson Tech line to speak to a rep and see what there thought's are,like I said don't work yourself up so much that you'll be miserable with your purchase,you can also go to the Road King it's not got the balancer's on them,but it does have the same cam tensioner's.
], now I don't think the balancer chain's are that bad but it's sort of the same,just don't gear down real fast running 90 mph, you see what I mean,as for the tensioner's on the cam chain's if I was that worried that something was going to happen work a deal out with your dealer to put, gear drive's in before picking it up, that problem will be solved. Also call Harley Davidson Tech line to speak to a rep and see what there thought's are,like I said don't work yourself up so much that you'll be miserable with your purchase,you can also go to the Road King it's not got the balancer's on them,but it does have the same cam tensioner's.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 190
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From: Australia
RE: Softail motor?
Tn / Poco
Please check out this link. It has some great pics of the cam and counterbalance assembly: 88b Counterbalance Assembly and Cam.
I am hoping you guys can keep the bright ideas coming after you have seen this.
Please check out this link. It has some great pics of the cam and counterbalance assembly: 88b Counterbalance Assembly and Cam.
I am hoping you guys can keep the bright ideas coming after you have seen this
.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,473
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Softail motor?
T'anks for the link. Interesting pics. Got a better handle on the counter balancers now.
I like my Evo.
I liked my Shovel.
Sporty was fine, too.
The Flattie was fun.
But walking sucks!
I like my Evo.
I liked my Shovel.
Sporty was fine, too.
The Flattie was fun.
But walking sucks!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,917
Likes: 184
From:
RE: Softail motor?
Hey poco, how do you like the way the pin's keep pressure on the balancer chain's, I understand now how raising the oil pressure up will keep more tension on the chain,Thank's for the picture's Howartthou. [sm=thanx.gif]
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Australia
RE: Softail motor?
Okay Tn and Skip
I can just hear you saying when this guy gonna learn to just enjoy his bike? [&:]. Well I haven't got it yet, but I am expecting it in around 2 weeks so expect my posts to be alot less frequent when I get the bike as I will be out enjoying it
. But I shall return and at least give an account of my first ride.
I am getting the Heritage design flaw or not I know I will enjoy it. Nothing will change my mind. And if worst comes to worst one day I will be up for a new engine, an aftermarket one that has the design flaw rectified.
I will still be a pest at least until I get the heritage. If found this link that has more info about our topic: replace tc88 timing chains with gears. Hope you find it useful and can pass on some info in laymans terms...I only get the jist of it for now.
I am off to check out S&S as this link recommends them...thanks for the tip Skip and Tn I am glad you have a better handle on it LOL! But how about me! Care to share? [sm=feedback.gif]
I can just hear you saying when this guy gonna learn to just enjoy his bike? [&:]. Well I haven't got it yet, but I am expecting it in around 2 weeks so expect my posts to be alot less frequent when I get the bike as I will be out enjoying it
. But I shall return and at least give an account of my first ride.I am getting the Heritage design flaw or not I know I will enjoy it. Nothing will change my mind. And if worst comes to worst one day I will be up for a new engine, an aftermarket one that has the design flaw rectified.
I will still be a pest at least until I get the heritage. If found this link that has more info about our topic: replace tc88 timing chains with gears. Hope you find it useful and can pass on some info in laymans terms...I only get the jist of it for now.
I am off to check out S&S as this link recommends them...thanks for the tip Skip and Tn I am glad you have a better handle on it LOL! But how about me! Care to share? [sm=feedback.gif]
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,917
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From:
RE: Softail motor?
I have read some of Donnie's Idea's on his oiling thought's(which I don't agree),he goes as far to say he believe's that metal particle's are transfered through out the engine by a oil mist in the TC88 engine,well that might be but if it does in the 88 engine it has in all the engine's prior, anyway how in the heck are we going to stop the oil from misting any way's, so you see my point, yea we can pick apart every engine ever made and find good and bad in all, the reason the TC88 engine was designed the way it was in alot of aspect's is for emission's and that's it and some was for increased HP,yea the cam is chocking the 88 to death,yea the cam chain's aren't the best thing in the world and the chain on the balancer's isn't the best design but it sure as hell make's for a smooth ride on a softail, so when you get your bike and ride it for the first time if it does'nt have enough power then look into some of these mod's but try not to make yourself sick by hunting the fault's in the TC88 motor. Enjoy the ride.[sm=exactly.gif]
