Engine Swap ?’s
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 420
Likes: 64
From: Southern Bear Flag
Have a buddy that bought a set of those heads, a take off 103 bore kit and 255 cams. He used CVO mufflers. He installed them in a 07 Ultra Classic. The bike was barely faster than a stock. Trying those heads on a 96 would be a waste. The problem is that they are 92 ccs and with flat tops the CR would be about 8.8 to 1.. You are better off with the stock heads that give you about 9.2-.3 to 1.. They might work OK if you bored to 103 and used higher compression special pistons that fit the chambers but at that point you are better off the originals with a street port and less money spent.
Those heads do flow better, about 240 at 28 where stock late heads are about 220. With a little work they'll get 250 but the combustion chamber has no squish so you need to use custom pistons and cut the head to get some plus bring the compression up.
Those heads do flow better, about 240 at 28 where stock late heads are about 220. With a little work they'll get 250 but the combustion chamber has no squish so you need to use custom pistons and cut the head to get some plus bring the compression up.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 262
Likes: 112
From: Queens NY
The 255 cam is considered an emissions that Harley used to avoid having to use a catalytic converter. It also causes the engine to generate excessive heat. Hillside machine shaved my SE 110 heads to lower combustion chamber volume to 88 CC and cleaned the valve bowls ( pockets). They supplied Woods camshaft(s) for midrange torque. I’ll report back when I finish the installation.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 420
Likes: 64
From: Southern Bear Flag
The 255 cam is considered an emissions that Harley used to avoid having to use a catalytic converter. It also causes the engine to generate excessive heat. Hillside machine shaved my SE 110 heads to lower combustion chamber volume to 88 CC and cleaned the valve bowls ( pockets). They supplied Woods camshaft(s) for midrange torque. I’ll report back when I finish the installation.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,070
Likes: 11,093
From: San Diego, CA
They can't and they won't affect the way the engine actually runs.....
They are a convenient way to change out cams without going through the rocker boxes.... and they can vary the preload to the lifters, which is good if you need to chase a "ticking" sound from the valve train...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,656
Likes: 8,261
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Late to the party. The cams that came with that CVO were SE253's. The heads did not have ACRS so If that engine has 255's it's because somebody put them in after the fact. And if you run 255's in a 103 without compression releases, you're looking at a lot of hot, start issues, starter, kickback, etc.
Jim
Jim
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 420
Likes: 64
From: Southern Bear Flag
Late to the party. The cams that came with that CVO were SE253's. The heads did not have ACRS so If that engine has 255's it's because somebody put them in after the fact. And if you run 255's in a 103 without compression releases, you're looking at a lot of hot, start issues, starter, kickback, etc.
Jim
Jim
I’ve decided to pass on this engine for a variety of reasons, many of which are above and thank you all for the help and insight!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,656
Likes: 8,261
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Originally Posted by dynoking
I should have added my engine is the SE 110. I was told the 255 cam came with it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: Squamish, BC
Late to the party. The cams that came with that CVO were SE253's. The heads did not have ACRS so If that engine has 255's it's because somebody put them in after the fact. And if you run 255's in a 103 without compression releases, you're looking at a lot of hot, start issues, starter, kickback, etc.
Jim
Jim
