I posted a few weeks back that my top end was coming off to have the show cut put on the fins. I also commented that my top end would never come off for any reason and not get the heads done while off. I have the SE heads so I wanted to inspect them and to see just what I had. The heads were just the stock/standard SE heads, no performance work done to them. They were however in great shape, very clean with no excessive carbon built up and with those, the cylinder walls and the rings are in great shape too. So, flowed, ported and polished the heads and a cleaner cut on the valves.

The "Vamp"? I have seen on here where guys have named their bikes after a person, place or thing. The Vamp is short for "The Vampire" and my bikes name from hear on out. Why? This thing sucks the money out of my wallet like a Vampire sucks his victims dry of their blood. My bike was to go in for a little head work and the show cut.

While talking to my head guy, we talked and he strongly suggested I change my SE 211 cams to the fueling 574's. So....new cams too. Now, my bike is an 06 so I have the old style tensioner, cam plate, bearings and oil pump. Am I going to put new cams in it and not address that issue? Nope, can't do that so my list just grew again with the SE upgrade kit and oil pump with new baring's as well.

I then, when it's all back together, will take it to my Dyno guy. My quick and short list of mods, maybe 1K, just blew up on me! It's OK though, I love "The Vamp", can't take the money with me and it will look and run GREAT! $$$$KACHING$$$$

 

Nice one Tony. I'm interested in seeing the results. I've been contemplating sending my stock heads and manifold away for work too. I got the SE 259e cams, 103 cylinders with 10.5 forged flat tops. I'm curious as to what my stock TB with stock heads worked and manifold port matched can do. Think the biggest mistake most make is jamming on a TB and injectors that are too big. Along with buying slightly better after market heads when head work on the factory heads yield better results for less.

 

Tony, I hear you on these bikes and their ability to pile on costs when you start getting into mods and performance.

I know you're planning to address the cam chest components, but I can't help but offer another angle for you to consider.

The SE cam plate/oil pump, while an upgrade, is not going to address the inner cam chain and inner tensioner. It will leave you with only upgrading the outer chain and tensioner to the roller chain style, while the inner chain will still be the problematic Morse link chains.

To truly address the cam chains and tensioners, you can replace those components with parts from an 06+ Dyna/07+ Touring/Softail. But, you'll need to find a set of 'conversion' cams. Conversion cams are necessary with this application because the inner cam bearing race is .875" diameter while the new style cam plate is 1" diameter for the cam support races. A conversion cam will have the inner end at .875" and the outer end at 1".

The SE plate retains use of the .875" cams on both the inner and outer ends.

Also, if you source the parts from an online discount dealer, you'll be into for about the same price. This also includes the higher flow oil pump that is standard from 06+ Dyna/07+ Touring/Softails.

FWIW, I was going to upgrade to the SE cam plate and hi-flow oil pump in my 2010 CVO 110", and was told by an experienced builder/sponsor here that it's a waste of money.

Hope that helps.

Btw, I have a parts list available if you're interested.

rb

 

Here's a thread from a little while back in the General Chat forum. It's got more details regarding the cam tensioners, and was helpful when I first began learning about this stuff.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...ion-shoes.html

 

maybe I should name mine then show us some pics of all this money going down the drain

 

Hey redbeard, I have a few errands to run then I am back down to the shop. Then I will be calling the head guy and I'll bring that up with him and my INDY guy. I am excited about these upgrades and the final results. I'll have some numbers for you guys in about a month.

Hey Ink, my bike had these heads on it when I bought the bike so I have to do with what I have. I have to say though, they look really good when we pulled them off. When I get them back they then go out to have the fins cut then get the bike together then off to the Dyno guy. Thanks for the replies guys.

 

Are they factory SE heads or after add ons from a previous owner? I'm really interested in what can come from working factory heads. You got me itching to rip mine off now and send em away

 

Work the heads and gain 10-15 HP but you wont gain alot of Torque. In fact, if its not done right, you will lose torque even though you may gain HP.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the input, I've been trying to find some one who had tried this

 

Tony,

Like Redbeard said if you really want to get rid of the old style tensioners you need to use the conversion cams and the parts from any 2007+ twin cam.

Luckily, Fueling has 574 conversion cams so your builder can get er done.