Evolution Top End Project Wrap Up

We have come a long way with our 1988 Heritage Softail. In order to rebuild the engine’s top end and install a performance cam, Mike had to remove fuel tanks, the exhaust system, the top motor mount assembly, and the carburetor & intake assemblies. While inside the cam compartment, Mike replaced and upgraded the cam bearing. He cleaned and inspected the breather gear, the pinion gear and the oil pump drive gear. The original cam gear was pressed off of the stock cam and correctly pressed onto the new S&S bolt in cam. Cam end play was set and timing marks correctly aligned.
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A new set of S&S lifters were hand bled and installed into the front and rear tappet blocks. In the top end, Mike honed the cylinders and replaced the stock pistons and rings with a new set of pistons & rings from S&S. The valves were removed from the heads and both heads cleaned thoroughly. Mike cleaned up the valves and valve seats and went back together with premium valve seals.
Mike replaced the stock butterfly carburetor with a last generation Harley-Davidson/Keihin CV (constant velocity) carburetor. Mike also demonstrated his progress for drilling the baffles out of the stock Harley-Davidson exhaust pipes. Now, the bike is completely reassembled. The negative battery cable has been hooked up and gasoline is in the fuel tanks.
Prior to start-up, Mike put the bike in high gear in order to turn the rear wheel and turn the motor over by hand. This is a good way to check your work. If the motor stops or you experience any binding at this time, you should not proceed to starting the engine until the interference is diagnosed and repaired. An attempted start-up at this point could result in catastrophic damage. After verifying that the engine could turn freely, Mike depressed the start button (without spark plugs) until oil pressure could be verified.
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Finally, with spark plugs correctly gapped and installed, Mike starts the fresh motor for the first time.

[@HarleyinGermany]

I recently purchased my first Harley, 2008 FLHTC, here in Germany and currently I am replacing the mainshaft bearing and compensator. Waiting on parts, and I will tell you, HD loves their parts! So much so you cant even afford the Tshirts they sell, let alone, their labor costs here. Either way, FIx My Hog showed me how to to take the Fairing off correctly, and as other work needs done, I am sure this site will be useful for referencing.

[@FixMyHogfreechannel]

Glad to have you here! Let us know if we can be of any help.

[@JCcanU]

You say you used S&S lifters . did you add a High flow oil pump? I use 180 # Valve Spring on the open and 125 # closed . "a stock oil pump" can't keep up with the lifters, Had to go with a High flow oil pump S&S are good lifters , what cam ? im using a 0.500 lift , flat top pistons bore 3.521 Programed ignition 5500 rpm Heads are Ported 2 inch valves Im far from stock its a Sleeper I shock Twin cam 88 and give the 103 a run for their money .

[@FixMyHogfreechannel]

Great question! We have a lot of technical answers on our website. www.fixmyhog.com/harley-tips-a-z-index and ‘Ask an Expert’ section is for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please provide the email associated with your paid membership. Thanks!

[@JR-ss3td]

I have a 97 RK evo 80. It’s going to need a top end soon. I also need to switch out the fuel injection to a carb. Do you have plenty of videos about evos on your site and that would help with this?

[@FixMyHogfreechannel]

Great question! We have a lot of technical answers on our website. www.fixmyhog.com/harley-tips-a-z-index and ‘Ask an Expert’ section is for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please provide the email associated with your paid membership. Thanks!

[@JCcanU]

JR-ss3td , doing a top end on a Harley with over 30,000 miles is going to take out the bottom end . I have done 5 builds and the first 2 i did not do a bottom end and in 5000 miles they fail .