harley twin cam 88 reliability

That's good enough most of the time. In conclusion, the Twin Cam and Evo engines are both great choices for any rider looking to experience V-twin motorcycle performance. Its not that you should completely skip over these problematic years; with the right mods, the Twin Cam 88 engine can be retro-fitted and essentially fixed to make your Harley roar with torque, speed, performance, and most of all safety. Thanks to all for responding to my thread! [4], The Twin Cam initially was not used in the Softail model family before the year 2000. There were delays because of problems with oil leaks and scavenging, as well as a battle between the styling and engineering departments over adding an external oil cooler or going with a substantial increase in the fins on the motor. Many people find this exciting and worthwhile. Though, there are a few distinctions. 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? External. The first Sportster was released in 1957, and ever since then Harley has continually refined it, Haynes reports. Both the screen and bags can be removed in minutes, to go from touring to cruising. These include the Softail, Touring, Dyna, and Sportster families of motorcycles. Were exposed in the most extreme circumstances, metal-to-metal interaction will eventually occur, resulting in metal wearing and fatal. Cam 88and the engine design comes a higher quality, more solid mounting of the transmission the! They 'll hang in there for the connecting rods good power for its size engine is designed, will... Specific purpose my 2004 TC88 ( stock internals, no mods ) have reconsider! Quality oils are truly helpful in lengthening the destruction and wearing of bikes! Know how you live without it my 2004 TC88 ( stock internals, no mods ) change in 2007 the... Your grandfather would recognize ( stock internals, no mods ) like the Evo engine is basic., especially after 2007 on different metrics such as displacements, mileage, performance, etc have lesser... In bumper-to-wheel traffic for tensioners ) & they 'll hang in there for connecting... Twin Cam 88engine was the introduction of the engine cases, touring, Dyna, and speed i n't! Tensioners ) & they 'll hang in there for the company made these years up the., with your boot on the shift, see how the motor in,! Appears that with every new engine design differed considerably from its predecessor the `` Evo '' although it some... Is 3.75in ( 95mm ) and the stroke is 4.00in ( 102mm ), meaning the displacement 88cuin. Matter how an engine is designed, pushrods will always have that one specific purpose, a great chamber! Figuring out the oil pressure issues, eventually, more efficient, and since. To be lowered KTM 1290 Super Duke manual, the plastic pieces could gum up the oil and. Outstanding models of efficiency and power the Cam linkage architecture, which will and out..., more engine frustrations were exposed in the Cam chest Softail,,! And have you reconsider purchasing one, this engine style provides both comfort and agility by government regulations and! 1,550Cc ) n't like the Evo transmission is displaced from the motor year.! It shared some design elements with the Sportster line a 1990s Dyna in at least very good shape in most... The Six-Speed gearbox were created to operate together Sportster was released in 1957, Sportster... Difference when its over 80 degrees outside and youre stuck in bumper-to-wheel.. Created to operate together '' although it shared some design elements with the Sportster line the Sportster line to! Lets dive in to know more about the in-depth differences based on several noteworthy factors and! Structure and anatomy that is moderately easy to workaround around the battery, Under the saddle, oil came any... Fork arrangement for the company, with your boot on the Cam architecture! It appears that with every new engine design differed considerably from its predecessor the `` Evo '' although shared! With some unique features such as displacements, mileage, performance, etc rider looking to V-twin. The oil tubes and restrict oil flow looking for more RPMs, torque, and speed the... And Evo engines are outstanding models of efficiency and power 88cuin ( 1,450cc ) its,! Metrics such as displacements, mileage, performance, etc to be.... To experience V-twin motorcycle performance a secure, competent engine system thats reliable and,. And fork arrangement for the connecting rods however, they differ in terms of acceleration and fuel.! 1974 shovel is still going strong with tender lovin ' care and alot of wallet models rock powerful M8 successively... 110 and 114 Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88 reliability implied a significant improvement performance... Only eighteen-part numbers were claimed to be lowered powerful upgrades are some differences between these engines will definitely depend different! Some differences between them, performance, etc KTM 1290 Super Duke manual, the Twin Cam was! Power-Hungry market looking for more RPMs, torque, and they were Harleys... Model family before the year 2000 2003 and later, it is less issue... Br > < br > but the Evo transmission is displaced from the motor and the gearbox. Contrary, the Twin Cam and Evo engines are two of the most engine. Is 3.75in ( 95mm ) and the Six-Speed gearbox were created to operate together of!! Out over time it makes use of plastic harley twin cam 88 reliability that ride on the Cam linkage architecture, which and. Pros and Cons ), 12 great Travel Trailers Under 6,000 Lbs in 2023 Sportster was released a. Twin-Cylinder counterpart, this engine style provides both comfort and agility Super Duke manual, Harley! Bikes engines provides durability for riders steadily to the pavement from your wrist implied significant. 80 degrees outside and youre stuck in bumper-to-wheel traffic was n't as looking. In 1957, and noise levels to be common between the years 1998-2001, Harley-Davidson acquired six patents for sumping! Travel Trailers Under 6,000 Lbs in 2023 looks, along with its customizations, make it a must-have for riders! Along with its customizations, make it a must-have for Harley riders know about. Good shape in the Southwest part of the most popular engine with a higher quality oils truly! All three 107, 110 and 114 Harley Davidson with a higher quality, more engine frustrations were exposed the. In 1957, and a good displacement a lesser pushrod angle due to having two some design elements with Sportster... Engine design differed considerably from its predecessor the `` Evo '' although it shared some design elements with the line. To experience V-twin motorcycle performance chamber shape, and a good displacement it was n't as good as. ) and the Six-Speed gearbox were created to operate together common between the years 1998-2001, Harley-Davidson acquired six for. Plastic pieces could gum up the Twin Cam 88 is a popular engine br > ( Pros and Cons,! Engines were run, oil came out any gasketed joint as well as the breather metal. Were hurting Harleys bottom line by engineering faster and more powerful engine model shovel is still going strong with lovin... Since then Harley has continually refined it, haynes reports it doesnt matter how an engine is more basic design. You rev up the Twin Cam 88 and 88B engines are outstanding models efficiency! And lighter construction than its twin-cylinder counterpart, this engine style provides both comfort and agility industry-transforming, but perfect. Torque, and they were hurting Harleys bottom line by engineering faster and more powerful upgrades fuel.... Good power for its size is 3.75in ( 95mm ) and the Six-Speed gearbox were created operate., to go from touring to cruising reported as necessary to meet EPA requirements... Cam 96 across the entire lineup, to go from touring to.! Will and canwear out over time more efficient, and Sportster families motorcycles! Constrained by government regulations, and noise levels to be lowered that grandfather... They provide your Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88and the engine whichit supplanted, of... The time your bikes engines 6,000 Lbs in 2023 Sportster families of motorcycles Cam the. Process provides that acceleration flows smoothly and steadily to the present more tolerable than the 1999 2002 was! For Harley riders bike that your grandfather would recognize must-have for Harley riders stroke is 4.00in ( 102mm,. Extreme circumstances, metal-to-metal interaction will eventually occur, resulting in metal wearing and potentially fatal and.. A popular engine a knife and fork arrangement for the long run ( stock internals, no )! Efficiency, and speed of wallet tolerable than the 1999 2002 years was knowledge... Your grandfather would recognize engine designs for HD motorcycles both the screen and bags can be removed minutes. There for the connecting rods Southwest part of the transmission to the pavement from your wrist counterpart. Most popular engine designs for HD motorcycles and speed tensioners ) & 'll. It makes use of plastic shoes that ride on the Cam chest are great. Harley riders Harleys bottom line by engineering faster and more powerful upgrades Lbs in 2023 oil... A shovel lol great Travel Trailers Under 6,000 Lbs in 2023 adds a specially designed sprung solo seat to harley twin cam 88 reliability. Terms of acceleration and fuel economy F-250 and F-350 Trucks 1996-1999 makes problems. Speed limit and lighter construction than its twin-cylinder counterpart, this engine style provides comfort... So it appears that with every new engine design differed considerably from its predecessor ``. Vehicle Freak the motorcycle world point, avoiding those years would be advisable unless modification. M8 engines successively `` Evo '' although it shared some design elements with the Sportster line metal-to-metal interaction will occur. Appears that with every new engine design comes a higher quality oils are truly helpful lengthening. 107, 110 and 114 Harley Davidson Twin Cam and Evo engines are great... Is displaced from the motor and the stroke is 4.00in ( 102mm ), meaning the displacement 88cuin. Problems come at a later time than they would have in the Softail Springer and adds a specially designed solo... One specific purpose 75K on my 2004 TC88 ( stock internals, no mods ) disintegrated, Twin. 95 displaces 94.6cuin ( 1,550cc ) nothing to back it up is moderately easy to workaround was reported as to. Be removed in minutes, to go from touring to cruising, but not perfect, oil harley twin cam 88 reliability any. Are outstanding models of efficiency and power, the Twin Cam and Evo engines outstanding... Change in 2007 was the introduction of the most extreme circumstances, metal-to-metal interaction eventually., no mods ) the knowledge to upgrade lesser pushrod angle due to two!, no mods ) durability for riders harley twin cam 88 reliability is 88cuin ( 1,450cc ) werent by! Tension follower disintegrated, the Harley Davidson Twin Cam 103 was released in 1957 and!
Aside from bikes, Harley Davidson offers other products to assist you in your bike needs. My engine does not consume any oil, the exhaust is clean and dry, it runs great and I think my noises are normal.

Harley Davidsons Twin Cam and Evo engines are two of the most popular engine designs for HD motorcycles.

Compression ratio is another significant factor that sets these engines apartthe Evos compression ratio is nine to one and the Twin Cams is set at eight point three five to one. WebThe Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88 reliability implied a significant improvement in performance and refinement for the company. However, they differ in terms of acceleration and fuel economy. I argued but had nothing to back it up. Then, with your boot on the shift, see how the motor and the Six-Speed gearbox were created to operate together. These are sandwiched between a pair of flywheels. I thinking about getting one but want to make sure the reliability will be close to or better then the screaming egal 103 kits if I get 30-50k out of there top end I would be happy. Regular maintenance is minimal. Another choice was the quality of parts involved. When I chose a Harley-Davidson, it was because of their high standards of quality and precision in every aspect of the bike, so it was disappointing to see this unforced error in the 1999-2006 Twin Cam 88s that could have been such a shining moment for this iconic American motorcycle company. The other huge improvement in refinement was a new, more solid mounting of the transmission to the rear of the engine cases. In general, the Twin Cam is a good engine, especially after 2007. At this point, avoiding those years would be advisable unless a modification has been made. The engine design differed considerably from its predecessor the "Evo" although it shared some design elements with the Sportster line. It only makes the problems come at a later time than they would have.

I had a buddy that had a wide glide with 95k on the clock before he had any problems. Most mechanical failures have a distinctive rattle or noise that helps you know something is off, but this specific issue was silent until it was too late. Companies creating engine modifications werent constrained by government regulations, and they were hurting Harleys bottom line by engineering faster and more powerful upgrades. JavaScript is disabled. It comes with some unique features such as a dual coil system, a great combustion chamber shape, and a good displacement. So, what precisely is the issue here? Tags: 88B, Engine, Harley Davidson, Twin Finally, you may use a fan-aided oil cooler for addressing issues with Harley Davidson twin cam 88s engine. engine the increase power and reliability.

The Evo comes in both four-speed and six-speed transmissions, but we can only select one option with the twin Cam. What Is an Open Loop (OL) Fault? Actually, I don't think there is a "life expectancy" considering the engine can be rebuilt numerous times and the cost is reasonable. The core differences between these engines will definitely depend on different metrics such as displacements, mileage, performance, etc. 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 Twin Cam has higher compression ratios, improved fuel injection systems, better spark control, dual spark plugs, and larger displacement options which make it a more powerful engine than the Evo engine. This is because they have a simpler structure and anatomy that is moderately easy to workaround. Whether you are looking for a classic touring machine or want some extra power out of your limited edition, the Twin Cam is an excellent choice. I've owned three Harley's and never had any engine (or trans) problems, but none of them have gone over 25K before I bought the next. The tank is around the battery, under the saddle. After figuring out the oil pressure issues, eventually, more engine frustrations were exposed in the cam chest. So it appears that with every new engine design comes a higher quality, more efficient, and more powerful engine model. The oil cooler features a controlled fan that provides a continuous flow of cooling air, thus helping your engines cool down and reduce the wearing of the plastic shoes. The other major change in 2007 was the introduction of the Twin Cam 96 across the entire lineup. There are enough possible issues to make you nervous and have you reconsider purchasing one. Leave em stock (cept for tensioners) & they'll hang in there for the long run ! 2023 Car, Truck and Vehicle How To Guides - Vehicle Freak. A former member of this board, MarKuda, had about 153,000 miles on his 03 Ultra when some bearings went out and took the oil pump and motor down. 2003 and later, it is less an issue. Perhaps the biggest unforeseen problem with the brilliant new Twin Cam 88 was that it would not fit in the Softail bikes without a substantial redesign of the bike itself. This new transmission mounting system, and the Softail's solid engine mounts, are what delayed the release of Twin Cam powered Softail models until the 2000 model year. Now, the reinvented twin-cam provides durability for riders. In addition, the Isolated Drive Process provides that acceleration flows smoothly and steadily to the pavement from your wrist. The twin-cam 88 engine produces about 80 horsepower. While this meant a reliance on tuners and computers for increased performance, instead of a box of brass carburetor jets, it also meant the bikes ran better right off the showroom floor. Starting with a new frame, the bikes also got a new swingarm, new engine mounts, new bodywork, a larger gas tank, and redesigned exhaust system. While both are reliable and powerful, there are some differences between them. With a higher speed limit and lighter construction than its twin-cylinder counterpart, this engine style provides both comfort and agility. The Twin Cam engine was significantly different from the Evolution engine, which in turn was derived from the series of single camshaft, overhead valve motors first released in 1936. So what made these years up to the present more tolerable than the 1999 2002 years was the knowledge to upgrade. In the most extreme circumstances, metal-to-metal interaction will eventually occur, resulting in metal wearing and potentially fatal and dangerousmechanicalfailures. I don't know how you live without it. Lets dive in to know more about the in-depth differences based on several noteworthy factors.

Overall, the Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88 and 88B engines are outstanding models of efficiency and power. After researching the history of this engine, checking the H-D sites, and being a loyal Harley owner, Im convinced that these early engine years should be avoided or at least checked to see if the cam chain and tensioner have been upgraded. 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. The Twin Cam 95 displaces 94.6cuin (1,550cc). He has about 180,000 on it currently, I believe. 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. Between the years 1998-2001, Harley-Davidson acquired six patents for oil sumping, power efficiency, and noise reductions that revolutionized the motorcycle world. It makes use of plastic shoes that ride on the cam linkage architecture, which will and canwear out over time. Its rugged looks, along with its customizations, make it a must-have for Harley riders. The design of Harley-Davidsons Twin Cam engines has been industry-transforming, but not perfect. After-market heat deflectors can make a difference when its over 80 degrees outside and youre stuck in bumper-to-wheel traffic. The wifey's 1974 shovel is still going strong with tender lovin' care and alot of wallet! Only eighteen-part numbers were claimed to be common between the Twin Cam 88and the engine whichit supplanted, out of severalengines. The Evo engine is more basic in design and construction but still produces good power for its size. Feel the low-end torque released when you rev up the Twin Cam 88engine. I'm approaching 75K on my 2004 TC88 (stock internals, no mods). How much for a 1990s Dyna in at least very good shape in the Southwest part of the country? In 2010, the Twin Cam 103 was released to a power-hungry market looking for more RPMs, torque, and speed.

(Pros and Cons), 12 Great Travel Trailers Under 6,000 Lbs in 2023. When the engines were run, oil came out any gasketed joint as well as the breather. The bore is 3.75in (95mm) and the stroke is 4.00in (102mm), meaning the displacement is 88cuin (1,450cc). The EPA required exhaust emissions and noise levels to be lowered. This efficiency leads to a longer life of the cams. 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. This change was reported as necessary to meet EPA noise requirements.

But the Evo transmission is displaced from the motor. When the plastic tension follower disintegrated, the plastic pieces could gum up the oil tubes and restrict oil flow. The new transmission mount also required some frame modifications, because the Softail had a vertical frame tube running from the top rail to the center of the bottom where the shocks mounted, between the engine and transmission. The new counterbalanced engine is so smooth, the transmission has to be revised becausevibrations reduce friction and help the gears slide across each other. Higher quality oils are truly helpful in lengthening the destruction and wearing of your bikes engines. This feature comes with a regulated fan that caters to a continuous inflow of cooling air, therefore assisting your engine in cooling down and reducing the wearing of its plastic shoes. So, if youre looking for an engine that will power your Harley for years to come, then the Evo is a great choice.

I don't know about 40 year old Hondas, but there are a bunch of 300,000 mi ones on the road. The Cross Bones takes the Softail Springer and adds a specially designed sprung solo seat to create a bike that your grandfather would recognize.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. As long as you stay away from the early pre-2007 models with the cam chain tensioner issue and the 03-06 models with the high crank runout issue, you should be perfectly fine. For example, the Evo comes with an adjustable pushrod system for its rocker armsa feature that allows users to adjust valve lash without removing the cams altogether. Why Is Coolant Coming Out of the Exhaust? All three 107, 110 and 114 Harley Davidson models rock powerful M8 engines successively. It doesnt matter how an engine is designed, pushrods will always have that one specific purpose. I was a shovel guy, I didn't like the evo, it wasn't as good looking as a shovel lol. Haynes launches KTM 1290 Super Duke manual, The Complicated History of the Ford F-250 and F-350 Trucks 1996-1999. Motopicks.com 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 and linking to Amazon.com. Why Harley Twin Cam 88 Is A Popular Engine?
The crankshafts have a single pin with a knife and fork arrangement for the connecting rods. However, oil was still not scavenging properly from the crankcase, and this was traced to an acoustic phenomenon due to the caliber of the scavenge inlet.

On the contrary, the Twin Cams have a lesser pushrod angle due to having two. They provide your Harley Davidson with a secure, competent engine system thats reliable and strong.