Finally got the motor closed up tonight and the exhaust back on. Rigged up a gas tank and fired the bike off. Can't decide if there's a problem or not.
A little history...bike is an 02 Road Glide with 45k on the clock. When I got it the cam tensioners were shot, front was wore completely through. Because of this I didn't run the bike.
Carb was completely rebuilt, new plugs, wires, oil pump, hydraulic cam plate and 37N cams with -4 cam gear, .030 head gaskets, factory pushrods.

When cold, it pops pretty regularly through the exhaust, and it doesn't matter if its hot or cold, rolling on the throttle blows quit a bit out the carb, you can see the mist and it almost has a diesel sound from the carb when the throttle is rolled on lightly...

This is my first twin cam...maybe its in my head, but something about it just doesn't seem right. I double checked the cam alignment when I assembled it, but it really feels like its off a tooth. Would that explain these issues, or have I read enough about it its all in my head??

 

The popping when cold is lean probably. Not sure what the -4 timing is about. i would think +4 would have been better. - timing gives it more top in and + more bottom end. I assume you have checked the exhaust leaks and intake leaks. Also check plug gap and such. Make sure the plug wires aren't crossing over each other. Don't know on Harley but on certain V8's you have to separate 5 and 7 plug wires as they can crossfire as they are next to each other in the firing order and next to each other in the motor also. I would be surprised if the cam is off a tooth. After checking all the obvious check the compression and or leakdown.

 

The -4 key is because the cams are for a 96. Plan is to to cylinders, heads and pistons over the winter.

Didn't find any intake or exhaust leaks. Going to do a compression test tonight after work. I really don't want to tear it back down but something just doesn't seem right.

 

Screwed....compression test showed 0 on the front cylinder and 150 on the rear...I'll tear it down after work in the morning...guess I might be doing the big bore kit sooner than I thought...

 

Sounds like cam was installed a tooth off. Do not use the -4 key if its an 88", even if its a 95". +4 would be better...

 

Actually I wouldn't use a + or a - cam gear, get the cams you want for the application. Change applications? Well then change cams.