View Poll Results: What next?
Rebuild the motor
125
53.65%
Replace with S&S
65
27.90%
Replace with used Harley motor
38
16.31%
Sell bike in "as is" condition
5
2.15%
Voters: 233. You may not vote on this poll
Engine Blown -- Now What?
HD EFI Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,500
Likes: 4,798
That's what my math says too. The advantages I am seeing to the S&S are that it is a job I think I can tackle, I can have confidence that the parts are all designed to work together, it will be done sooner, and the engine will have a warranty for a couple of years.
The advantages of a custom build are that I can build exactly what I want (which really comes down to what the guys at the shop recommend because I don't know enough about engine components to believe that I will put together something better than what S&S is building) and the perceived value of having matching VINs.
Beyond those things it seems to come down to personal preference between a custom built motor and an S&S.
The advantages of a custom build are that I can build exactly what I want (which really comes down to what the guys at the shop recommend because I don't know enough about engine components to believe that I will put together something better than what S&S is building) and the perceived value of having matching VINs.
Beyond those things it seems to come down to personal preference between a custom built motor and an S&S.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
I recently had my 08 RKC rebuilt by an indy but it was still running. The lifters were failing, the crank was way out of round and it had 112,000 miles on it and I had the money in the bank. The Indy was awesome. Went from a 96 to a 103. He trued the crank and did the Timken bearing upgrade. New pistons, mild head work, cams, new clutch, dyno tune, lifters, primary tensioner, reworked the compensator and many other tweaks. Even a new rear tire and windshield. I paid him in green cash and it came out to only $4,500.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
I'll leap in here, if I may! I've had my S&S 107" (succeeded by the 111" now), since 2008, when I just so wanted a 124". The LC version wasn't available at that time and my indy pursuaded me against the stock high CR 124", as simply not being suitable for a touring bike. From what I've seen in more recent times the LC is giving numbers close to the high CR version of a few years ago, so for a crate engine I suspect it is not only pretty beefy, but tame enough for use in a touring bike. It uses the 585 cam I have in my 107", which I really like, giving a wide smooth torque curve, so if the LC rides in a similar way, with a big boost in torque, it should be quite something! Now let's see how Bowhunter finds his.
I also figured the lower compression would mean somewhat longer life but I know that is debatable. I just don't ride up in the 5k and above range that much to see the difference.
So no, no regrets and in fact I am close to 5K miles on it now since doing this and I am more happy now than when I first picked it up. I believe now that I have broke it in this thing runs even better.
One thing most tend to forget is what is the shape of the rest of the bike? All those little things that we just live with. Those cost can add up fast once the new engine is in place. If everything is in good shape, great but if not you maybe adding a bunch more money into it due to the new engine. As for what engine its up to you what you want versus what you need. The cost of a T124 doesn't stop at the engine as your going to need a better exhaust than stock, larger throttle body, bigger injectors to feed the 124 a better Air Cleaner than stock, a better clutch than stock and possibly transmission work depending on the shape its in now. So look at the bigger picture first so there is no surprises once you make up your mind.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 822
Likes: 61
From: Northern Kentucky
The cheapest fix is probably a used engine. Selling the bike as is when it won't start is going to yield a very low price. At least with a used engine it would start and run giving you the option of riding it or selling it for a decent amount and buying something newer if you wanted.
Bill
Bill
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
It was a stock 96 so the 103 with cams was a huge improvement. It's also a bike I use strictly to commute so I wanted good gas mileage and dependability. That's why I made the comment about talking to the indy about what you want and your riding style. I told my indy I wanted a tank that would never give me problems. He told me it he actually had fun building it because he's so used to building stroker motors. He said it was a change of pace to build an engine basically to spec. He said I should never have to split the cases again and in another 100,000 or so he'd just need to freshen the top end and cam chest. It helped the price too that he said he didn't have to change the cam plate. He said it's the first one he's seen that was still well within tolerances.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1,122
From: 48.067222,12.863611
Depends on what you wanna spend. You go too big on a bike that age (even if not that old), you'll find the next weakest link.
I'd probably rebuild it and go 117". A nice, dumb 117" with 10.0 compression if it was torn apart.
I'd probably rebuild it and go 117". A nice, dumb 117" with 10.0 compression if it was torn apart.
Last edited by rhuff; Sep 22, 2017 at 12:48 AM.
I'm with Bowhunter, the first step is to see what is broke. Just maybe its something minor and all this talk is for not.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
I didn't get rid of my classic Chevelle when the engine wore out. Or after the next one. Or, the next one...
A lot of this discussion comes down to how much do you really want to keep the vehicle.
A lot of this discussion comes down to how much do you really want to keep the vehicle.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
If your Indy was worth a flip when he used a stethoscope he would have stopped you where it was and given you options. But maybe I have higher standards as the guy I rely on is fantastic. I would find another Indy and get my options there. I get asking opinions on a forum after such an experience but answers are short minded. If it were me I would build the snot out of it but I have a second bike so my options are more open.
The indy did, in fact, discuss options with me at that time. It was somebody at the indy, in fact, who suggested the advantage of taking it over to the dealer and trade it in because of the improvements in the new M8 engines. I certainly considered that, but I just didn't feel good about it. I also wasn't keen on the expense of a new bike, so that factored into it.
The guy at the indy also told me how awesome he thinks the T111 is and that, if he could afford it, that's probably what he'd put in his bike. We also discussed sending the crank out to Darkhorse Crankworks and the things we could do to build a custom engine if we went that route.
I do plan on keeping the bike a while. I included trading the bike in as one of the options because, on some level, I guess it still is a possibility. But honestly, I'd rather keep my bike.
Some have mentioned the possibility that it only needs a top end rebuild (or something less). I suppose that is possible, but not something I'm likely to pursue. The bike has 75,000 miles on it. I just don't see doing much of anything to it and stopping short of rebuilding the whole thing. Plus -- I'm not above admitting that I see this as a great rationalization for getting the kind of engine dreams are made of.