Question I recently installed 95" cylinders and modified heads on a 2001 wide glide. The heads were reworked by a shop in Tempe, Arizona by the name of Shortblock Charlie's. The first install was done by a friend and he bent a pushrod (intake)on the front cylinder. He had MMI certifications and I think he basicly knew what he was doing but was not familar with adjutable pushrods. I took the motor back apart and found the front cyclinder intake valve bent.
The weird part was, the rear cylinder exhaust valve left a slight imprint on the outside edge of the relief on top of the rear cylinder piston. I ordered a new exhaust and intake valve, brought them to a local head shop and replaced the front cylinder intake valve and the rear cylinder exhaust valve. Although the rear cylinder exhaust valve appeared straight when put on the machine, I wanted to be on the safe side.
The heads were modified with a bigger (1.940)intake and (1.610)exhaust valve, and they were also milled. The intake reliefs on the pistons were opened on the intake side but not on the exhaust side . I called their shop- and they told me that the exhaust side should not interfere but perhaps the casting of the head was off a little. I opened the exhaust reliefs and installed the cylinders .The bike runs really strong but makes a chirping or clicking noise out of the rear exhaust.
The cams are S.E. 203 with adjusable pushrods. I checked the exhuast gaskets, loosened the pushrods, air cheched with soap for head gasket leaks. The chirping sound is still there and drives me crazy. Any suggestions on getting to the root of this chirping noise would be appreciated.
Thanks Steve
AnswerHi Steve.
First Off I NEVER mill Harley Heads because the intake port is all ready too low for any good flowing, If you want to raise compression get a set of pistons with higher compression. Harley makes 10.25:1 hi compression Forged pistons for the twin cam 95 inch motor, Your friend should of counted the threads per inch on the push rods to know how meny turns the push rods need to be set at. In this work, there is no room for guess work, The casting of the Harley heads is NOT a little off. It is the shop you are dealing with that is a LOT OFF. Find another shop, Some one who Know performance and know how to work on your bike correctly the first time. TDC should of been checked and the pistons should of been clayed for clearence's. this is done before assembly, You also bought a set of cams that are NOT very good, A wast of money, I have boxes of the used for 50.00 per set, but I will not install them because I am in the performance bussiness, I would of went gear drive also. The chirping noise sounds to me like a head gasket going bad. checking with soad does not always find a bad head gasket, you could have a loose cylinder head bolt?. when you are ready to get your bike to run correctly give me a call I also am in Phoenix Az. but I dont sell Parts that dont work.Ride free Friend. SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY
www.southsidesdyno.com 602-340-1266 or 602-705-7474
