I read a post recently from someone who said softails don't last as long as tourers. Something about the counterbalanced engine?. And I recall also reading about cam problems with the 96 engine in general.

Has anyone else heard of these "rumors". What sort of miles can one expect to get out of a late model 96B engine before needing a rebuild?.

 

Who said that, someone in the bagger section?

I don't think the 96" engines have been out long enough to get a clear picture of their long term reliability. I would be interested to hear if anyone has 50-75K + on a 96" A or B engine and tranny and what type of problems they have had (if any).

 

I was told by a reputable indie that you can get about 100,000 miles before needing a rebuild.

I have never heard that the softail's don't last as long as a tourer. If anything, i bet you need to replace those rubbermounts at some point on the tourers...something completely unnecessary with a softail.

Rob

 

Using the K.I.S.S. principle as a measure, the counterbalanced engine should have more problems simply because it has more parts. But that may not translate into less engine life. If the average counter-balance system lasts as long as the average cylinder wall/piston ring/main bearing groups, then there should be no difference between the normal life cycles of the A & B engines. My thought on the engine life cycle of the Twin Cam is that the cam drive design is probably the usual limiting factor in engine life.

 

actually, that's one thing the indie did say.. probably have to replace the cams at about 50,000 miles or so.

 

I'm not sure how much mechanical knowledge you have, but the counterbalanced engine does not have more parts. Counterbalancing has to do with the crankshaft, where there are equal weights on each side of the crankshaft bearing journals. This is what makes the engine run so smooth. Part of the loss in Hp from the A to B engines is due to the extra weights on the B crankshaft. On the other side though, the engine runs smoother and the crank bearings will last longer. Also it allows the crankshaft to spin at higher RPMS.

 

Your kidding right? The B motors have two counter rotating balances, one in the front of the flywheel assembly and one to the rear that are connected to each other and the crankshaft by a roller chain.

The difference between the A and B motor’s crankshaft assembly is the addition of the chain drive sprocket which is pressed onto the pinion shaft.

Like Pococj said, sounds like more parts to me.

 

The B twincam does have additional hardware in the left side of the engine cases. There are 2 counter balancing rotating assemblies that are chain driven off of the crank. These are too counter act and cancel the vibrations. The gear on the crank is pressed on, if it slips it could cause vibrations. This and the oil lines, the A engines (96") have the oil passages in the cases and the B engines are still on the exterior, are the only differences that I am aware of.

My typing is pretty slow. What he said above.

 

I guess without looking at an engine blueprint I can't argue with you. I was going off of my Car Knowledge of counterweighted crankshafts

I would still bet that the main engine components would last longer due to the balancing of the crankshaft.

I apologize for the mistake

 

Donny Petersen claims they are good for 100 or 200,000 miles. He builds engines.