Should I change my cams?
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
I have an 08 and my indy put automatics in when he rebuilt it from stock to a 103. He said it just required the ACR wiring harness and then turn them on in the ecm. For him it was plug in the harness and change a setting in the programming other than the machining. Beats manuals.
When he rebuilt it, he told me the worse wear he saw was in the valve guides and the stock lifters. You might get lucky and have the heads rebuilt with new valve guides and the compression releases and get many more miles out of the engine. No need to get rid of the sert and have to buy another tuner if you do that.
Just another suggestion.
Good luck!
When he rebuilt it, he told me the worse wear he saw was in the valve guides and the stock lifters. You might get lucky and have the heads rebuilt with new valve guides and the compression releases and get many more miles out of the engine. No need to get rid of the sert and have to buy another tuner if you do that.
Just another suggestion.
Good luck!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 963
Likes: 145
From: Displaced hillbilly
Flaheatwave, yeah I was quoted $800 for the mcr's.
Th HV oil pump was mainly since it was going to be out, put a new one in.
Now though, I am wondering if if is the compensator. Spoke to a stealer here and they said they new SE compensator does not work on my bike. He said I am unable to upgrade to the SE comp. Does not seem right. Need to speak to another shop. Hard to find good shop here in MIA. Taking bike to shop tomorrow and talk to them and see what they say.
Th HV oil pump was mainly since it was going to be out, put a new one in.
Now though, I am wondering if if is the compensator. Spoke to a stealer here and they said they new SE compensator does not work on my bike. He said I am unable to upgrade to the SE comp. Does not seem right. Need to speak to another shop. Hard to find good shop here in MIA. Taking bike to shop tomorrow and talk to them and see what they say.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 352
Likes: 29
From: Missoula, MT
What do you use for a tuner? Do u like how it runs now as far as power?
I would find a nice low mileage 103 stuff cams in it and install acrs on the bike. Fixes most of your worries. That's what I would do if I was in your boat. You could go with ez start cams and skip the acr but 103s come with them in the heads. So no added cost there.
I would find a nice low mileage 103 stuff cams in it and install acrs on the bike. Fixes most of your worries. That's what I would do if I was in your boat. You could go with ez start cams and skip the acr but 103s come with them in the heads. So no added cost there.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 68
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Going to look for 103" heads that have the ACR's and see about they are going for.
I am going to a shop later today with the bike and go through some options with him. Either changing cams or changing heads or SE compensator. Going to see the cheapest options. Maybe keep it like this for another 6 months then do the engine rebuid program for Harley. Gotta see my options. Will have to be after September though. Got a big ride planned
I am going to a shop later today with the bike and go through some options with him. Either changing cams or changing heads or SE compensator. Going to see the cheapest options. Maybe keep it like this for another 6 months then do the engine rebuid program for Harley. Gotta see my options. Will have to be after September though. Got a big ride planned
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 144
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
I picked up a pair of brand new 103 HO takeoff heads from a 14 SG for $200 when I put the FM 107ci EZ with 10.25 compression TW555 cams on my 09 Ultra with 120,000 miles. The heads were already set for the ACR's I just had to add the harness to the ECM and fuse block and enabled with the Powervision. Now it starts easier than it did when it was a 96.
Last edited by bmaier; May 2, 2017 at 08:50 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 68
Likes: 5
Kburgad, I use the SE Pro Tuner? Installed at the dealer when I purchased the bike. I am fine with the way it runs, prefer more lower end power, but honestly, I just want to get rid of the hot starts and stop the starter kick back. Sounds terrible when it does that and keeps tearing apart my starter clutch.
But now I don't know if that is the problem. Starting to look like maybe its the compensator. Would love to do both, but can't afford that.
But now I don't know if that is the problem. Starting to look like maybe its the compensator. Would love to do both, but can't afford that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 89,048
From: Western South Dakota
Bike is a 2008 Road King Anniversary. When I purchased the bike new, I had the Stage 1 kit installed, also had the engine upgraded to the 103" with the SE 255 cams.
Now for the problem:
I am now on my 4th starter clutch about to change to the 5th. They should have installed or asked at least about installing the ACR's. Did not know anything back then. Now I somewhat do.
I have a couple options I am thinking about doing.
1. Remove heads and have them drilled out and manual releases installed (~$800 quoted by shop)
2. Change cams to the S&S Easy start. (~$900, cams, HV oil pump, gaskets, push rods, tapets, being installed by me)
Now, the kicker, When the engine gets opened up, I could have issues. Bike has 102,000 miles.
Runs good, but somehwat high mileage for cam change. I will be removing the SERT and installing something else.
Was looking at Fuelmoto and their 107 kit, but I am 2000 miles away.
What should I do? Please don't say "Get a new bike".
Now for the problem:
I am now on my 4th starter clutch about to change to the 5th. They should have installed or asked at least about installing the ACR's. Did not know anything back then. Now I somewhat do.
I have a couple options I am thinking about doing.
1. Remove heads and have them drilled out and manual releases installed (~$800 quoted by shop)
2. Change cams to the S&S Easy start. (~$900, cams, HV oil pump, gaskets, push rods, tapets, being installed by me)
Now, the kicker, When the engine gets opened up, I could have issues. Bike has 102,000 miles.
Runs good, but somehwat high mileage for cam change. I will be removing the SERT and installing something else.
Was looking at Fuelmoto and their 107 kit, but I am 2000 miles away.
What should I do? Please don't say "Get a new bike".
On second S/C replacement (all *****) and it is staring to do what it did before.
On second battery. Contemplating a new one of those too as I am right at 6 years now but always on a tender when at home in the garage. It is a tad on the weak side when starting though.
A positive note is I've never heard of any negatives associated with the EZ starts. I'm sure that there is but I've not heard of one. It would be nice to hear of those.
On the other hand $900 plus another tune will set you back $1100 or more.
If you feel competent as you appear to be, why not just buy a 107 kit and do it yourself w/the EZ Starts?
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Joined: Mar 2009
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I would love to do the 107", but that will be way over my price range for now. Looking at about $2500 for that. Right now only looking to fix the issue, which is either the compensator or the cams or thr ACR's. If I could find a set of heads with ACR's already drilled, probably be the cheapest way to go.
Options so far:
1. Replace original compsator for the Baker or SE ~$800-$900
2. Replace cams with easy start ~$850 + tune cost so about $1100
3. Add ACR's ~$800 getting my heads drilled for them
Options so far:
1. Replace original compsator for the Baker or SE ~$800-$900
2. Replace cams with easy start ~$850 + tune cost so about $1100
3. Add ACR's ~$800 getting my heads drilled for them
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,188
Likes: 11,299
From: San Diego, CA
I'd skip the cams for now, don't need easy starts w/ACRs and this gives you more money and options when doing the rebuild.
Then ride it until you have the money for a rebuild.... set it up the way you'd like (piston size/cams) and it'll run like a new bike...
Good luck...