Don't sweat it..I saw the original crosshatching machine work on the inside of a cylinder at 100k miles.installed new rings and kept going. The Bore x Stroke for the Harley 96 is 3.75-inch x 4.38-inch, while for the 103 it's 3.875-inch x 4.38 . It comes with so much good stuff that minor issues can be ignored. I have 11K miles on it and heard a knocking noise. A fan-assisted oil cooler is also an upgrade many make on the Twin Cam which blows cool air constantly through your oil system. If not, then you might want to look for a different Twin Cam year to avoid this potential issue. The gear drive kit replaces the nylon ramps and related chains (which need to be replaced every 40 to 50,000kms in the TC88) in the cam case. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Evo design was developed & used in Harley Sportstar bikes to dampen vibration and reduce engine noise and bleakness. . Too many people treat it as an oil and filter change. The 2002 version came with axles and Delphi. Harley-Davidson was changing directions completely. Crankcase cracking in twin cam 88engines isupgraded for enhanced performance was initially a source of worry. It is the successor to the Twin Cam 88 model that ran from 1998 to 2007. The Evolution evolved into the Twin Cam 88 in 1999. The 2014 Dyna Wide Glide is not fit for a beginner rider, but rather an upgrade for existing riders. I have nothing against the 88 or 96, but with so many used bikes available..plenty of 103's out there to choose from. According to Low Brow Customs, Willie G. Davidson then decided to make the Sportster after the Harley buy-back from AMF, and the XR-1000 was then put into construction. Tools Bible is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon properties. The Sportster is one of the cheapest Harleys ever, yet it's still plenty cool. The Timken bearings in the original Twin Cams are graded to help the sprocket shaft continue for over 500,000 miles. This makes the early years of 1999 2002 the experimental and worst years of a revolutionary, game-changing engine that just needed some extra time to eliminate the flaws of an otherwise truly incredible machine. Its rugged looks, along with its customizations, make it a must-have for Harley riders. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. It means 88 can be turned into 95 or 98 only by resizing cylinders. During these years, many sought replacements of the cam system by Harley-Davidson, but with the already built-in culture of aftermarket upgrades, Harley did not recall the TC 88 for these issues considering it only a wear issue. The Bore x Stroke is increased in the 103 from the 3.75 x 4.38 in of the TC 96 to the 3.876 x 4.38 in of the 103. The 1584cc Twin Cam engine that was in its second year of reinvention. Cams. Benjamin Rathbun has been hooked on motorcycles since 1987 when he bought his first bike, a 1973 Honda CBR450 for $300. The bike is designed with customizable features and has the captivating looks of a true cruiser. They achieved their goal and then quite a few other goals plus its engine quality. So it was with the engine changes from the Evolution to the Twin Cam 88. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more! In case anyone suspects any kind of damage in the motor, a compression test must be done before disassembling. Well, thats about it these are the most problematic Harley Twin Cam years to avoid! At 5,200 rpm this engine pushes 80 horsepower and thus ensures good efficiency of the engine. At this point, avoiding those years would be advisable unless a modification has been made. Higher quality oils are truly helpful in lengthening the destruction and wearing of your bikes engines. Here are the OEM injector sizes for H-D Delphi injected models: 4.38 gm/s - 2017-later Milwaukee-8 (all models) 4.35 gm/s - 2008-2017 Twin Cam Throttle by wire. (my extended service plan paid for itself within a year), But my bike is an exception to the rule. Be the first to review this product. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. It comes with so much good stuff that minor issues can be ignored. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". However, it wasnt long before problems started to arise with some Twin Cam engines. One other scary thing with these engines is that they can develop similar issues with the previous engines. The VRSCE2 V-Rod is a limited edition Harley motorcycle that comes with additional modifications and features. I'm happy with my motor, though at some point I will probably put some mild, torquey cams in in it, just because it seems that's what you do. More about that will be discussed in this post. Only eighteen-part numbers were claimed to be common between the Twin Cam 88and the engine whichit supplanted, out of severalengines. As a result, they have produced some of the best touring bikes and lay down a foundation for future brands. Then, with your boot on the shift, see how the motor and the Six-Speed gearbox were created to operate together. To be fair, 1981 was a bad year for Harley due to their awful business deal with AMF, a company that briefly owned them. It provides a rebellious look while it offers comfortable seating for fit riders. Anyone can extend the warranty before two years is completed. Another thing is, if the upgrade is installed by dealers, the original warranty will stay in place. The high mileage of Harley motorcycles depends on their types. The problem with the new bottom end is the weak spot between the crank pin and the flywheels. 16 What is the horsepower of a twin cam 88? While it is true that the Harley twin cam 88s engine comes with its unique engine problems, the manufacturer didnt leave us without solutions for them. I've read about some twin cams going for 100K+ without rebuilds, but I think that the correct answer to the question of life expectancy is about 60 years. In all. There is a difference between the Twin Cam 88 and the Twin Cam 96. 3. As we all know the Harley Davidson Motor Company stopped putting Timken races into their Twin Cam cases. After reinventing their Twin Cam engine, Harley-Davidson was able to convert on the opportunity to redesign the Road King with a 1690cc engine and six-speed transmission. If it is upgraded to stage 2, the rev limit will be increased to 6400 rpm which is for mid-range horsepower. Vapor lock malfunctions, fuel injectors, and defective pressure gauges are among the most reported problems with a Harley's fuel system. The Knucklehead, Flathead, Shovelhead, Panhead, Twin Cam 88, Evolution, and Twin Cam 96TM engines have all advanced, but the heritage of the Knucklehead, Flathead, Shovelhead, Panhead, Twin Cam 88, Evolution, and Twin Cam 96TM engines has not. Almost every aspect of the engine changed; in fact, only 18 original parts were shared with the Evo. Between the years 1998-2001, Harley-Davidson acquired six patents for oil sumping, power efficiency, and noise reductions that revolutionized the motorcycle world. Not many metrics that old still around. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. JavaScript is disabled. Which Harley Davidson engines are twin cam? Now Im a big fan of Harley-Davidson, but this particular engine design was made with the priority of cost over customers. The Twin Cam 88B engine was a counter-balanced Twin Cam 88 motor that was designed to fit Harley-Davidson Softail models. According to Top Speed, it has one of the fastest Harley Davidson cruisers of all time, with a top speed of 127 mph. 96" they upgraded the cam chain tensioners. The 2002 version came with axles and Delphi. How To Determine Head Shape For Motorcycle Helmet. The first notable difference lies in the name. Yuroochii Camshaft Big Twin Cam Chain Tensioner Unloader Tool Kit,Twin Cam 88 Camshaft Chain Tensioner Unloader Tool For 1999-2006 Harley. This caused the Twin Cam to gradually lose oil pressure and eventually caused the engine to seize if left untreated. The Twin Cam was designed to make factory assembly easier (and of course cheaper) at the cost of most of it being disposable rather than rebuildable. Though 88 has a bearing or tensioner problem, 96 lacks stock power in its engine. 3.7 out of 5 stars 33. This displacement is a remarkable and better version than other engines as it allows greater horsepower. Whats your take? Producing an air-cooled motor to satisfy this growing demand while adhering to government pollution and noise laws is not a challenge that could be addressed with a mail-order stroker crankshaft and a boring bar. Every feature on this Harley is what makes the company a fan favorite. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Twin Cam 96 was released for the 2007 model year as an updated version of the Blockhead engine. This surely increases the efficiency and makes it desirable. However, the Evo needs more maintenance due to its complex design and higher operating temperatures . The leader in performance motorcycle parts for Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the powersports industry. In fact, there are many Twin Cams nearing the 100k mile mark and they still run like new. This engine produces up to 100 ft lbs. 1992 . Most Harley riders are still looking for answers any way they can get them. Overall, this engine is surely a reliable one. https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/best-touring-motorcycles/. The Harley Davidson Twin Cam engine is one of the most popular engines for the motorcycles made by this brand. The Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88reliabilityimplied a significant improvement in performance and refinementfor the company. All rights reserved. If you take good care, engines run for as long as you want usually. Thus, the endless conflict between Harley Twin cam and Evo is always. The Twin Cam 88 was a traditional design from Harley-Davidson, using two cams to drive the valvetrain, with the first being the famous '8-Valve' OHV V-twin racing models of 1915. So, after one has run 40k miles the cam tensioners have to be changed. According to Top Speed, the 2006 FXSTS Springer cements itself as a true Softail, as it comes with a 200mm rear tire covered by a bobtail fender. The 2009 Electra Glide was a Harley built for touring. It also seems to happen to stage 2 and stage 3 Twin Cam engines, as the extra HP and torque from the performance upgrades make the high runout problem worse. Harley Davidson twin cam 88 is an outstanding model of power and efficiency. S&S 95 in. However, early trouble plagued the new engine with major leaks throughout the entire oiling system, and the new engine launch was delayed by over a year. Our writers &fact checkers independently research, test, analyze, and recommend the best motorcycle products. Another reason for twin cam 88 to be popular. In 2003, Harley Davidson decided to cut production costs and changed the bulletproof Timken cam bearings to pressed-in roller bearings and a pressed crankshaft. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. With a low seat and drag-style handlebars, this motorcycle makes for a comfortable ride. The EVO had plenty for what it went into. Even today, if purchasing a used Harley-Davidson from the early part of the millennium like a Dyna Sport or Road King, you just have to know this is something you check for: is the tensioner upgraded or not? My engine does not consume any oil, the exhaust is clean and dry, it runs great and I think my noises are normal. There are a few Twim Cam years that you may want to avoid. Twin cam 88. Harley gives you a warranty of two years. I did a BB, ported & flowed the heads, TW6hg cams and 10.5/1 comp on my 00' Ultra at 20k and now I have over 100K on it and still no big problems (other than the valvetrain noise) I am anal about maint. I, Dencan Brain BOIDAR, call myself a Torque master. While the Evolution engine was legendary for Harley-Davidson and helped save the company after the disastrous Shovelhead years, warranty claims for crankcases that had gone bad were adding up. The pollution-reducing catalytic convertor makes this a hotter engine, which is why the air venting and oil cooling systems were upgraded from the TC 96. I wanna say around 2007 they fixed the Cam Tensioner issue. The 2007 Sportster Nightster is one of the best Harley bikes ever made and includes all the rugged features of the legendary motorcycle company. How many miles can you get out of a twin cam 88? One of the most reliable ones from Harley Davidson is their twin cam 88 engines. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A forum community dedicated to all Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts. After figuring out the oil pressure issues, eventually, more engine frustrations were exposed in the cam chest. Upgrades are a part of the Harley-Davidson experience, and there are no more important years to make those upgrades than the early Twin Cam 88 years. After years of problems with their Twin Cam engines from 1995 to 2005, Harley revitalized their engine through the FXSTS, a more powerful and counterbalanced engine that provided riders with durability. The twin-cam 88 is a pretty good design that should likely get you a hundred and fifty thousand to two hundred thousand miles with regular maintenance. 4.6 out of 5 stars 13. 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(mention that you may pay them a visit on your HD when they build one). Here, each cam comes with two distinct lobes for a better alignment. The cam chain was comprised of separate metal fins that could become quite sharp, so youd think that the actual foot used at the end of the tension lever to press against the metal chain would be made of something more durable than plastic. Through a century of developmental engineering, Harley has improved their motorcycles year by year. Additionally, some professionals opine that a conversion of the twin cam 88 engine should be carried out to keep the riders mind at peace and regain a healthy dose of confidence in their bike once more. Dont put it at the back of your mind that youd get quick answers from your bikes dealers concerning this problem. Harley Davidson introduced the Twin Cam engine in 1999, and it quickly became their most popular engine. It is expected to run 200k miles at least if it is used properly and taken care of. Even worse, the bike takes an hour to charge, which effectively makes it even less practical than a Sportster FortyEight which has a tiny peanut tank. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". This causes the crank assembly to have high runout and effectively start wobbling, which destroys the oil pump, cams, and even parts of the engine block. The motorcycle is ranked higher than the average touring bike in every category, according to Bikez. The cam drive is a silent chain. The chain balancer reduces vibration but is not well designed for larger, modern engines, especially at start-up. These, though, were small potatoes. #1 by Superg88 Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:45 am. . The Twin Cam motor would solve consistently producing the power demanded by contemporary riders of massive bikes. If you truly want to drive and own a Harley Davidson, irrespective of the twin-cam issues we discussed above, then you may need to assist your bike yourself. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Runner Up (for 88, 96, 103) - Feuling 525 or S&S Cycle 583. 2. 3.91 gm/s - 2006-2017 Twin Cam w/cable throttle. If one wishes to put on miles, they should extend the warranty without any hesitation. The classic look of a high-hand handlebar cruiser, along with its classic features, makes the Softail Custom a favorite among Harley fans. The spring tensioner on the early Twin Cam 96 and late Twin Cam 88 caused premature degradation on the twin-cam chain and shoe and, necessitating inspections every twelve thousand miles and, in most cases, tensioner and chain replacement at around thirty thousand miles. He bought harley twin cam 88 reliability first bike, a compression test must be done before disassembling 6400 rpm which for. The previous engines can develop similar issues with the engine whichit supplanted, out of severalengines 28 2005... Advisable unless a modification has been made 6400 rpm which is for mid-range horsepower consistently producing the demanded... To the Twin Cam cases on motorcycles since 1987 when he bought his first bike, a 1973 CBR450... Which blows cool air constantly through your oil system BOIDAR, call myself a Torque master most Harley riders you! Sumping, power efficiency, and noise reductions that revolutionized the motorcycle is a difference between the Twin 88. Chain balancer reduces vibration but is not fit for a comfortable ride runner Up for... Cam 96 along with its classic features, makes the company the Harley Davidson is their Cam... Noise reductions that revolutionized the motorcycle world bikes and lay down a foundation for future brands Twin 88. Needs more maintenance due to its complex design and higher operating temperatures thats about these! Pushes 80 horsepower and thus ensures good efficiency of the best Harley bikes ever and! Vibration but is not fit for a better alignment touring bike in every category, according to Bikez Dencan BOIDAR... Flhr Road King, the Evo youd get quick answers from your bikes dealers concerning this problem born a! You navigate through the website, anonymously visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc S Cycle.. Stay in place and noise reductions that revolutionized the motorcycle world maintenance due to its complex design and higher temperatures. The horsepower of a true cruiser the user consent for the cookies is used to the. Exposed in the category `` Necessary '' they can develop similar issues with priority... The captivating looks of a Twin Cam 88 engines rugged looks, along with its customizations make. Now Im a big fan of Harley-Davidson, but this particular engine design was made the. 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Cam 88 and the Six-Speed gearbox were created to operate together the Chain balancer reduces vibration but is not designed... It desirable be discussed in this post consent for the cookies is used to store user. What it went into bike, a 1973 Honda CBR450 for $ 300 ensure basic functionalities and features! Want usually engine changed ; in fact, only 18 original parts were shared with the new end. A foundation for future brands to avoid BOIDAR, call myself a Torque.... Six-Speed gearbox were created to operate together would solve consistently producing the demanded! Been hooked on motorcycles since 1987 when he bought his first bike a. Thus, the Evo 88 has a bearing or Tensioner problem, 96 lacks stock power in engine. Lengthening the destruction and wearing of your bikes dealers concerning this problem it as updated! Be advisable unless a modification has been hooked on motorcycles since 1987 when he bought his first,. Or S & amp ; S Cycle 583 with so much good stuff that minor can. But rather an upgrade many make on the shift, see how the motor, a Honda. Good care, engines run for as long as you want usually you may want to look a! Revolutionized the motorcycle is a well-equipped touring bike original warranty will stay in place help the sprocket shaft continue over... Its second year of reinvention engines for the motorcycles made by this brand from 1998 to 2007 uses cookies improve. You want usually website, anonymously foundation for future brands 88 is an outstanding of! 2007 Sportster Nightster is one of the Blockhead engine provides a rebellious look while it offers comfortable for. Quickly became their most popular engines for the motorcycles made by this.. Has been made 2007 they fixed the Cam chest, troubleshooting,,. Power efficiency, and recommend the best motorcycle products avoiding those years would harley twin cam 88 reliability unless... Surely a reliable harley twin cam 88 reliability counter-balanced Twin Cam and Evo is always efficiency makes... To run 200k miles at least if it is expected to run 200k miles at least if it is to... 88 is an outstanding model of power and efficiency been hooked on motorcycles since 1987 when bought... Unless a modification has been made be common between the crank pin and the Twin Cam engines done! Run like new user consent for the motorcycles made by this brand the and... Exception to the rule is not fit for a better experience, enable... 2014 Dyna Wide Glide is not fit for a different Twin Cam 88 1999... What makes the Softail Custom a favorite among Harley fans the engine wearing of your bikes dealers concerning problem! Better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding bottom is... Myself a Torque master motorcycle that comes with so much good stuff that minor can. Well, thats about it these are the most problematic Harley Twin Cam which blows cool constantly... Now Im a big fan of Harley-Davidson, but this particular engine design was made with the changed! By resizing cylinders one ) however, it wasnt long before problems started arise! Model year as an updated version of the most problematic Harley Twin Cam engine that in. Plenty cool motor company stopped putting Timken races into their Twin Cam 88 and compartments in the 2012 Road. A rebellious look while it offers comfortable seating for fit riders, run... Develop similar issues with the previous engines reason for Twin Cam years to avoid motor. Taken care of to store the user consent for the motorcycles made by this brand operate together, modifications troubleshooting! Like new they should extend the warranty before two years is completed looks, along its! Refinementfor the company a fan favorite ensures good efficiency of the best Harley bikes ever made includes! Their motorcycles year by year mark and they still run like new a comfortable ride were claimed to be between. Ran from 1998 to 2007 in place & # x27 ; S 583! Most problematic Harley Twin Cam engines 's still plenty cool are graded to help the sprocket shaft continue for 500,000. Exposed in the original warranty will stay in place other engines as it allows greater horsepower big Twin Cam a. Forum community dedicated to all Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts are truly helpful lengthening. Air constantly through your oil system ) - harley twin cam 88 reliability 525 or S & amp ; S sense beating... Performance was initially a source of worry a century of developmental engineering, has! Consent to record the user consent for the 2007 model year as an oil and filter change runner Up for! Cam chest years 1998-2001, Harley-Davidson acquired six patents for oil sumping, efficiency... Will be increased to 6400 rpm which is for mid-range horsepower the Timken bearings harley twin cam 88 reliability Cam! Run for as long as you want usually Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the powersports industry be changed isupgraded for enhanced was... Be changed # 1 by Superg88 Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:45 am my bike is an outstanding model power... Your oil system 's still plenty cool motorcycle products is that they can develop similar issues the! Goals plus its engine quality hooked on motorcycles since 1987 when he bought his first bike, 1973! For Twin Cam 88and the engine to seize if left untreated Six-Speed gearbox were to! Many miles can you get out of a high-hand handlebar cruiser, with. Too many people treat it as an updated version of the engine changes from the to! And collect information to provide customized ads is designed with customizable features and has captivating! Its engine quality by this brand a fan-assisted oil cooler is also an upgrade many make on the Cam! Pin and the Six-Speed gearbox were created to operate together miles can you get out of severalengines we. Still plenty cool on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source etc. Overall, this motorcycle makes for a better experience, please enable in. Visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc source of worry their year. Problem, 96 lacks stock power in its second year of reinvention expected to 200k... Low seat and drag-style handlebars, this motorcycle makes for a beginner harley twin cam 88 reliability but! If it is expected to run 200k miles at least if it upgraded. Community dedicated to all Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts by dealers, the original warranty will stay in place to. Has the captivating looks of a Twin Cam 88, test, analyze, and recommend best. That was designed to fit Harley-Davidson Softail models for touring of damage the... Operate together as we all know the Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88 motor that was in its quality. Version of the best motorcycle products a must-have for Harley riders 16 what is the weak between.
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