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head work

Old Sep 8, 2011 | 06:09 PM
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Default head work

So I'm 99% sure I'm getting my heads done this fall when the riding season is over. I'm looking for input about whether or not it's worth it, what to expect, what to look out for, and anything else useful you can tell me. Also, I've yet to fork out the money for the auto tune for my PCV, so at the moment i'm just running the $h;tty hd 103 flash. Will the bike still run not bad with that flash after the heads are done, or will the PCV be a must? Thanks guys.
 
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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 09:00 PM
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If you are going to spend the money for the heads, get a Dyno tune. Your bike will run far better. Or get the auto tune. I'd rather get a Dyno but a competent tuner myself.

Drew
 
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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 10:03 PM
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I don't think head work will do much for the cam that you're running. If you're going to spring for headwork, get a new cam, and have it dyno tuned.
 
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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 10:26 PM
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I had my heads decked .036 and ports cleaned up with Crane 310-2 cams. Dyno'd 89hp 94tq. It was totally worth it IMO.
 
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 04:26 AM
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Originally Posted by beaureed445
I don't think head work will do much for the cam that you're running. If you're going to spring for headwork, get a new cam, and have it dyno tuned.
What's your reason for saying this, and what would you thing a better cam would be? The reason I chose that cam was because I do a fair bit of longer runs, half the time two up, and I wanted my power down low. Of course when the guys are all out we might be pretty heavy on the throttle, and I want a little more power for those days, but I loved what the cam did for touring. Be as specific as you can guys so I can make the best choice here and not dish out a bunch of coin for poor results.
 
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 06:02 AM
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The most knowledgable guys on the engine forum will tell you to spend your money on the tuner before buying anything else. Some like TTS, but others swear by SEPST or the Power Vision. I have a carbed bike, but if I had EFI, I'd do a lot of reading on here before pulling the trigger on the tuner. As far as head work, I'd highly recommend decking, cc'ing and porting at the very least. When I did my 95" and Andrews 26 cam build, I had my heads decked and cc'd to match the cam. In hindsight, I should have done some more work on the heads to gain horsepower. I ended up with 80HP and 99 ft/lbs torque. Scott Palmer up at Hillside is a forum sponsor and you could call him to pick his brain. Other reasonable options that I know of for head work are big boyz and wfo larry.
 
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 07:45 PM
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I've already got my guy picked, and as far as the tuner goes, I'm going to make use of the pcv and get the auto tune. I know it might not be the best around, but enough people have success with it. Can somebody add to the reply that said head work will not work good with the cam I'm running?
 
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by beaureed445
I don't think head work will do much for the cam that you're running. If you're going to spring for headwork, get a new cam, and have it dyno tuned.
agreed,get rid of the 255s they fall off to early the head work will increase your mid range and top end the 255s are a low to midrange cam,,, ask the head guy he will steer you in the right direction,,,, harleys respond well to head work,,, i cleanded up the ports on a pair of 07 heads and had a good vavle job done annd a set of andrews 37 cams for my brothers 05 fatboy 95inch and wound up with 89 hp and 99 tq. with straight pipes
 

Last edited by 07 dyna man; Sep 9, 2011 at 08:21 PM.
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Old Sep 10, 2011 | 04:48 AM
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Originally Posted by jlasoftail
Can somebody add to the reply that said head work will not work good with the cam I'm running?
Originally Posted by 07 dyna man
agreed,get rid of the 255s they fall off to early the head work will increase your mid range and top end the 255s are a low to midrange cam
255's are sometimes referred as school bus, or RV cams. Alot of torque down low, but start running out of steam around 3800-4000 rpm. What compression had you thought about setting them up at? Set up at 10.0:1 or more, the cold cranking compression/pressure could be in the 225-230 range. Could lead to issues with hot start problems, starter kick back, detonation, etc, if not tuned real well. Timing is critical to dial them in, so you need a real good tuner to set them up.

You might want to look at cams with a 35*-40* intake closing set up at 9.5:1 - 10.5:1. Easier to tune, lower CCP's, and better street manners. Torque will develop early enough in the rpm range for 2 up touring, and will carry out further for running solo with the guys.

Just my humble .
 
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Old Sep 10, 2011 | 05:07 AM
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I can tell this little project is gonna start getting expensive, lol. Looks like a set of woods 555 might be ordered soon... God I hate replacing parts I already spent good money on.
 
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