Bad news
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 280
From: North Cental Iowa
First of all you've got something messed up with your info, the SE251 cams don't fit in a late model engine. I've got Crane cams that have nearly the same specs as the 251s & I'm running 10.1 & it's borderline on too much compression. That being said I've run it without CRs for 7+ years & 70K on the stock starter. You need to find out which cams you actually have before you go any further. The 259E has nearly the same specs as the 251 & it's made for the 96" motor, the 254E has too little duration for that much comp. The more comp you have the more duration you need to bleed some of it off at lower RPMs. First find out what cams you actually have, sounds like your dealer isn't very knowledgeable because it sounds like you should of had CRs with your build, that's probably still your best solution.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 14
From: connecticut
Well here is where we stand. I took my 09 Ultra to a dyno guy and came away with a few decisions I need some help with
Since I went to an S & S 106 & 251 cams with 10.5/1, the compression is a little much for the stock starter clutch, already had one replaced by dealer. Options appear to be either compression releases (probably big bucks and wish the dealer had mentioned it during our initial pre purchase talks) or try the SE 254e (I think) but that would entail another dyno run as well (more pretty big bucks) or just put up with it?
Compensator - probably needs the SE upgrade - best I think I can do with waranty is buy the part at the dealer and they install and eat the labor - ok but not great, may help with the starter clutch?
Oil leaks from the air cleaner, as is a problem for more than a few of us, and I tried the mystfree set up from Doherty which wasn't the answer for me, and figured I might stick their powervents on and vent to the ground, but Tim at Doherty said not to try anything til I find out if she sumps by pulling the plug and see if I get less than 6 oz. and if so align the oil pump. Dealer wasn't very receptive saying there is a good risk of case damage taking the plug out and that his guys don't mess up the oil pump installs. I guess a fraction off could be the problem either centering or the stack set up. So now I am not so sure I want to pull that plug.
Clutch slips a little in the taller gears if I wick it to get around someone, maybe new clutch spring- looks doable for diy - any problems to look out for?
I know this is a lot of info, hope its ok forum wise to have such a laundry list
Thanks to all
Since I went to an S & S 106 & 251 cams with 10.5/1, the compression is a little much for the stock starter clutch, already had one replaced by dealer. Options appear to be either compression releases (probably big bucks and wish the dealer had mentioned it during our initial pre purchase talks) or try the SE 254e (I think) but that would entail another dyno run as well (more pretty big bucks) or just put up with it?
Compensator - probably needs the SE upgrade - best I think I can do with waranty is buy the part at the dealer and they install and eat the labor - ok but not great, may help with the starter clutch?
Oil leaks from the air cleaner, as is a problem for more than a few of us, and I tried the mystfree set up from Doherty which wasn't the answer for me, and figured I might stick their powervents on and vent to the ground, but Tim at Doherty said not to try anything til I find out if she sumps by pulling the plug and see if I get less than 6 oz. and if so align the oil pump. Dealer wasn't very receptive saying there is a good risk of case damage taking the plug out and that his guys don't mess up the oil pump installs. I guess a fraction off could be the problem either centering or the stack set up. So now I am not so sure I want to pull that plug.
Clutch slips a little in the taller gears if I wick it to get around someone, maybe new clutch spring- looks doable for diy - any problems to look out for?
I know this is a lot of info, hope its ok forum wise to have such a laundry list
Thanks to all
First of all you've got something messed up with your info, the SE251 cams don't fit in a late model engine. I've got Crane cams that have nearly the same specs as the 251s & I'm running 10.1 & it's borderline on too much compression. That being said I've run it without CRs for 7+ years & 70K on the stock starter. You need to find out which cams you actually have before you go any further. The 259E has nearly the same specs as the 251 & it's made for the 96" motor, the 254E has too little duration for that much comp. The more comp you have the more duration you need to bleed some of it off at lower RPMs. First find out what cams you actually have, sounds like your dealer isn't very knowledgeable because it sounds like you should of had CRs with your build, that's probably still your best solution.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 280
From: North Cental Iowa
I'm familiar with the 251s & their #s, I was just going by the 2011 SE catalog pg 54. If they made them in the past they don't list them now. I'd have to guess they replaced them with the 259E since the specs are so similar. Since you've tuned plenty of them what is your recommendation to the OP. From my experience with the Crane 290H cams, nearly the same specs I purchased them a couple months before the 251s came out, he's at the top end of compression for cams with that short of duration. I don't have CRs on mine but it's hard on the starter & I'm starting to have problems with the starter clutch also. If I was to take it apart again I would put CRs in this time around.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
i have 10.5 compression ratio and the manual compression releases along with the s.e. compensator really work. especially when it's hot outside, the motor is still hot, and the air is fat with humidity.
I'm familiar with the 251s & their #s, I was just going by the 2011 SE catalog pg 54. If they made them in the past they don't list them now. I'd have to guess they replaced them with the 259E since the specs are so similar. Since you've tuned plenty of them what is your recommendation to the OP. From my experience with the Crane 290H cams, nearly the same specs I purchased them a couple months before the 251s came out, he's at the top end of compression for cams with that short of duration. I don't have CRs on mine but it's hard on the starter & I'm starting to have problems with the starter clutch also. If I was to take it apart again I would put CRs in this time around.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Bixby Oklahoma
Thanks again for all the comments, and just to maybe finish up, the heads are stock, no work on them at all. Will be finding out my options at the dealer where I bought, and one across town. The only thing I didn't see commented on was pulling that plug to check for the amount of oil behind it. I have read it may be kind of risky, but don't know what breaks. I will update as things progress
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