EVO Cases: Delkron vs S&S vs Stock. Used cases, unbiased, side by side comparison.

For aftermarket Harley Davidson engine cases, we thought it would be great to see them side by side to really highlight the differences.
Disclosure! We are not experts, we are garage builders, this is just an unbiased comparison with cases that we could afford and were accessible. Keep in mind these are all used cases an anything new off the factory floor may look different. Both the s&s and delkron cases will be used in separate builds! Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy 😎
Who the hell is Ironhead Sally? Well here's my channel description:
Old School Bikes and Old School Ways! Ride hard, wrench a lot, and always having a blast.
Bike camping, wrenching, and shenanigans. My husband and I create motorcycle content for people that are tired of seeing all of the fake insta accounts of sponsored boring yuppies. Here's some realness, we are just broke bikers living the low life and getting by. I ride a 1985 Ironhead Chopper as my daily, my touring bike is a 1984 FXR. We have lots of Ironheads and FXRs and are constantly building more, trying to keep these old neglected scoots on the road instead of rotting away in a garage.
Appreciate all the love & support
Keeping it Real! Keep it Sketchy!
FTW💚Sally
Email: [e-mail]
Ebay Store: www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?sid=b...
Ironhead Sally
236 S Third St
PMB# 235
Montrose, CO 81401-3618

[@Mike-mp7gr]

It's good that there is a lot of aftermarket parts for old harleys.

[@patrickmuraszewski3606]

I have been running a Delkron case shovel since 84 in a hardtail chopper with no problems. This bike has been across the country, to Sturgis 6 times and is ridden hard .

[@ironheadsally]

Awesome! Thats some miles and on a hardtail shovel even! Seems like these beefy delkrons are made to withstand some traveling. Good stuff!

[@westcoast3595]

Hands down. Delkron.

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

Yeah I'm learning I just picked up a 1980 FLH and it's got delkron cases and a sputhe transmission .. so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about these non Harley-Davidson parts great video thank you

[@yinyanglovebomb]

Awesome. Got a delkron on my shovel

[@davidetchellsetchells4692]

Delcron are race only cases, that's why they are so beefy and have all the cool features

[@hdevo80]

Good video! My shovelhead Delkron cases and S&S oil pump. Thank you from Hungary

[@ironheadsally]

Cheers! I’m super happy with the Delkron choice, thats some good cases lol extra beefy, thanks for watching!

[@bruce1816]

Good choice with the Delkron cases. I ran a set with some S&S rods and flywheels. 88 inch motor that started out with too much compression. Second season I dropped compression back to about 8 1/2 to 1 and it was the best motor ever. A old 412 sifton camshaft worked very well.

[@ironheadsally]

Sounds like a great machine! I am seeing the difference now with my fxr, the high compression it’s vibrating more and pulling more fuel lol but soooo fun 🤣😇 lol cheers Bruce!

[@waynemetevia7983]

Great video! This is my first time seeing one of your videos and i am now a subscriber. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos when you have the time. Thanks

[@Rif_Leman]

The ring seperation was a common problem on the early Hammerhead cases. Mine did that, but since I am running an open belt primary, it isn't a problem for me. The Delcron and S&S cases were made for stroker motors.

[@ironheadsally]

Nice, open belt looks great, i just couldnt do it on my FXR. They look awesome on certain models tho! I went Delkron stroker lol

[@Rif_Leman]

@@ironheadsally Yeah, FXRs need certain features to be an FXR and an open primary wouldn't look right. But they are cool on a 4 speed Softail.

[@walterfechter8080]

Billet cases are always more money, but they're well worth the extra insurance -- especially if you're going with a stroker/big bore engine. I had a pal in CA who went with S&S crankcases. He built and rides an 80 inch Evo with lower compression, reworked stock cylinder heads and S&S cams. Good luck, Sally, with your rebuild.

[@ironheadsally]

Thanks Walter! We got lucky finding these Delkron’s and S&S at a good used price, another case for my fxr woulda been doomed lol! Cheers 🤩

[@joeriley3721]

Great video. Keep it up!! Guys.

[@phantomxter]

Thanks for the info ✌️

[@worthyland4104]

love your work guys, awesome comparison vid. using delkron cases on my engine and transmission, the sump on the delkron is cool but sometimes needs to be removed to fit engine in some frames then re installed once engine in place.

[@ironheadsally]

Appreciate ya watching! And thanks for the heads up, we shall see when we install in my fxr.

[@edsmith2562]

Looks like fun to me.

[@StudioELW405]

I like ultima cases over s&S.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Broke bikers always have the coolest bikes. Beats the heck out of a 7 year bike payment.

[@ironheadsally]

That is true! Couldn’t imagine having a payment for a bike that looks just like everyone else’s lol

[@midnightmc3096]

Well heeled bikers pay cash - hence no bike payments : ) From southern California ~ Ride Forever!

[@sundance561]

I agree….

[@sundance561]

Just build something…… Whatever your budget allows…

[@buck_the_atlas]

What a cool random informative video. KZbin needs more of these. Can you do Shovelhead cases next.... and include House of Horsepower cases.

[@ironheadsally]

Thanks! If i get the opportunity to do a vid like this with shovelhead cases, i definitely will. We are just simple home built mechanics working projects on budget, lol was a rare opportunity to have 3 diff style cases at the same time. Thanks for watching! 🤩

[@buck_the_atlas]

@@ironheadsally Working projects on a budget, I hear that. Keep em coming.

[@virgilastacy5281]

Ride an EVO but I love that pre 70 shovel Anyway keep it between the mustard and mayo and rubber side down later GBU

[@ironheadsally]

Cheers Virgil! Thank youu!

[@JCcanU]

Im on my 5th Engine in 14 years, Im running a S&S case with Harley flywheels and rods , my Next engine will be a Ultima 100 CI Im sick of the harley parts break and the engines wont hold up to the torque . Cam bearings and Bushings keep failing reason im on a S&S case . make some power and they shake apart . keep it stock they last a long time . but i like to run with the 107 twin cams .

[@ironheadsally]

Whew sounds like ur building some performance and FUN 😁😁 thats a lotta rebuilds in a short time, but thats the toss up HP for longevity. Worth it 🏁😜

[@JCcanU]

@@ironheadsally My next engine will be a 100 CI Ultima .

[@NitroGnome]

I has billet delkron dr2 4cammer cases in my oldschool 149cid fueller harley

[@ironheadsally]

Woot, sounds like a beast! Big trouble and big big FUN 😎😁

[@the.unhappy.mechanic]

I love this viedo, My fxwg chopper has a delkron transmission case, ant chance of a delkron transmission viedo vs HD transmission case?

[@ironheadsally]

Oooff, i hope not, unless something breaks! But If we ever get our hands on different brand aftermarket stuff we’ll make sure to add more comparison vids, its great to see side by side! But aint cheap lol!

[@the.unhappy.mechanic]

Currently my chopper is in a similar condition, I had those old shovel head style front brakes and they where apparently water damaged in the caliper pin area, it took a year and a half to get the new forks off the back order list so I could convert the front to dual disc performance mechine kit. The old ones, when you get up to 3500 rpm would rattle like my primary chain was about to blow. On my (Fxwg) chopper. Good job on the side by side comparison.

[@benderbender1233]

🤘😎🤘

[@gregconner4460]

I'm running STD case's on my Shovel Head .

[@ironheadsally]

Oh no! U should get some penicillin, it’ll clear that right up! Those shovels sure get around 😂😂🤣 jk, sweet! Im hoping my shovel cases are good when we tear down next month

[@edZILLA64]

Great video. BROKE,BIKER,BUDGET,BUILDING,BIKES. LOL Say that three times fast.

[@ironheadsally]

I get tongue tied as it is lol, thanks for watching edzilla!! Cheers 🤩

[@nonserviam9673]

Ultima😊 puts out a very good case...good or better than either of those.

[@ironheadsally]

Oh yeah! That would have been cool if we had one for this video. I didnt have the funds for the ultima on my fxr engine rebuild lol

[@egidijuslazauskas7316]

Hi. Delkron case thickness will be a mismatch between Delkron case and Cam Cover.You will have step dawn ...Please on temporarily cam cover, see if you like it? I'm sorry for mane english I'm from Baltic States. 1972 Shovelhead owner.

[@ironheadsally]

Cheers to Baltic shovel owner! That is great, and this delkron case has a cam cover that came with it, so it won’t have that lip. But good thing to keep in mind thanks for pointing that out! I gotta change over my ignition and all that jazz too. Thanks for watching!! 🤩

[@travissultze934]

Do you guys ever get 4 valve evo heads?

[@ironheadsally]

Whenever I win the lottery! lol but no, i’d love to, i just cant justify buying heads that cost about the same as what i paid for an entire bike. I would love to call my fxr a Hemi tho, maybe one day LoL

[@jukeboxheros7021]

q, I ran into a bike yesterday that has the delkron case and s&s jugs, but I noticed the case had about a 3" crack by the timing screw hole. should I pass? thanks

[@ironheadsally]

Oooof, i would pass. Is it a crack crack or a mark from the casting of the case?

[@jukeboxheros7021]

@@ironheadsally yeah, it's a crack you can clearly see. bummer it's a nice bike, but I don't have that kind of repair money. thanks for responding. keep up the good vids. subd.

[@jukeboxheros7021]

is it repairable without having to remove the whole motor out. I kinda don't want to passup on it😁

[@ironheadsally]

Sounds like an awesome bike if ur still thinking bout it, it’s gonna get worse and be even more expensive in the long run. I’d say hold onto your money until u find something you love or build a different bike the way u want it. Worrisome if there’s that crack, what else could be wrong with it.

[@Rif_Leman]

@@jukeboxheros7021 Not repairable without diassembly. The case would have to be super clean in order to weld them. Additionally, the case needs to be bolted down onto a heavy table to prevent warpage when welded. That would not be a cheap repair. Leave that motor for a builder that can do all of that work themself.

[@buckhornz2184]

G, day Sally, is there a particular reason why those EVO cases brake like that, is it to do with the rubber mount motor and gearbox misalignment or something else. I see you had a comment from Ralfy of Ralfy customs on your previous Veelog, you should check out his youtube channel it's awesome if you haven't already the engineering and banter is great. Cheers to you and yours and merry Christmas to you and yours and God bless the USA you have given the world so much. I see there is major storm across the US coming, I've never had a white Christmas we are going to have 68°F on Christmas day.

[@ironheadsally]

Cheers and hope you had a great Christmas! And i don’t know the full history on this bike so not sure what would have caused this, it’s an 84 and that lip is not very strong. Never surprised finding broken parts just another day as a harley owner lol!

[@michaelowens1183]

V-Twin out of New York does repair on case rings.

[@midnightmc3096]

Softail Evo’s were solid mounted and it happened/is happening on many of those as well.

[@Comm0ut]

Inner primary cover locating ring breakage is because the factory cast them too thin and the problem exists with EVERY stock alternator case including Shovels. However the flat repair gasket works fine (I've run them for many years) with a high quality sealant. Any machine shop with a rotary milling machine table can perform a ring insert repair by centering the quill on the bearing race then offsetting the rotary table a suitable amount then rotating the table to make the cut which is self-explanatory to any machinist. Other case crack locations vary by year but none of the stock cases are very good. Harleys despite the image are not really a "premium" motorcycle in drive train build quality terms but what they are is a very easy to REBUILD and MODIFY design because they're basically a 1930s vertically split crankcase roller bearing design which makes it easy to overhaul to what aircraft mechs call "zero time" where every bearing surface is replaced. If you want build info see the Tatro machine channel.

[@MrChopemup]

Did you have the carlini torque arm ? You need that .That stock evo looks like it cracked in the Typical fxr, breakage , rubber mounted , The Engine wasn’t lined up properly , torque arm helps that ,, they also leak out of the inner primary seal to tranny , . I have a delkron evo , 92 up. Beast of a case . But they break too. Fxr, is the top 5 harley designs in my book .

[@ironheadsally]

Thanks Chopemup! Good idea, i looked into the torque arm, the engine i’m putting together is pretty hi compression and beefy. Better be safe than rebuild again soon. Thanks! FXR is definitely top EVO for me.

[@MrChopemup]

@@ironheadsally hope it helps . It’s really a must . Good luck with the delkron , There’s two types of cases 92 and up. Which takes a different oil pump. And cam cover And below.. Which is different, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out. And the torque arm I think only fits forward type not mid controls, and buy High quality engine and transmission mounts. It’s a must. All that stuff adds up when it’s torquing... Just my two cents

[@michaelowens1183]

@@MrChopemup I chose Delkron cases for my 96 Evo build over S&S because they are permanent mold versus sand cast.

[@MrChopemup]

@@michaelowens1183 Yes, I believe there the best, I have the engine case and the transmission case since 1998, ,,. Never had a problem.In my Softail. I kept the stock bore. But I milled the heads. With 9 to 1 compression pistons., I’m sure you’re very excited , I believe they’re the best cases. And they look really beefy. Looking forward to more videos. Thanks

[@midnightmc3096]

@@MrChopemup From what I understand, there would then actually be three, because the last two years Mercury Marine started casting the Evo cases for Harley. In those, you can even see the Mercury Marine logo in the casting when you open up the cam chest. From Southern California ~ Ride Forever!

[@EarlGuyton425]

You cannot know the best cases based on thicknesses of areas at all.. Strength of any metal is based on the type metal and how much forging is done. Three inches of pueter metal is laughed at by one quarter inch of steel as an example. Same as three inches of aluminum is a joke if compared to a half inch of cast iron. But from experience here is something I can say as an absolute fact and that is the fact that any harley OEM cases are stronger than any of the others. Take noteof tools for example as you can have a cheaper brand FAT half inch wrench and a small craftsman half inch wrench that is one third the size of the cheap brand that will break in half while the snap on ir craftsman which is much leaner usually never breaks.

[@ClovisPoint]

yes a womans bones for their size, are stronger than men's [for a reason ] but I'd like to see a Strength comparison of these cases, to prove your point ,I'd still like to get a set of Delkron cases and build an engine ,but not a fire breather

[@EarlGuyton425]

@@ClovisPoint The cases I would prefer being I pr the Shovel engines would be the cast iron cases that existed for police. I have seen a few and that was back in 1988 where I was at a shop that did work for the Houston police department. Its possible those may exist as well for the Evo engines. As for the standard OEM for twin cam or evo or shovel is okay with me because I am a strict followerer of never using anything outside of harley OEM, hence I will not use anything from SS or any other. But actually, the only case cracks I have ever witnessed and heard about is when the earlier Evos used the steel left engine case insert for the bearing and seal and that was corrected in 1986 with aluminum inserts

[@user-jz8wm8mp8j]

You can't know that Oem cases are stronger than anything else, because you said you will never use anything not from Harley. You have ZERO experience with anything non-oem by your own admission. They said that they aren't experts just showing what they could see.

[@user-xn1bo9rx5m]

all your concerns , Delkron thought of that 45 years ago and made them .

[@erisgh0sted961]

I really wanted to watch this. Please get a decent microphone.

[@midnightmc3096]

I would just ask for a full refund 😂

[@Krazyjr_FXR]

No issue on my end