engine temp

[jhoffa]

how do you tell if your engine is getting to hot or a cylinder is hotter than the other? What temp is normal

[nc-renegade]

Originally Posted by jhoffa

how do you tell if your engine is getting to hot or a cylinder is hotter than the other? What temp is normal

Good question. I read my front head temp. in realtime, so I pay attention to it more than I should. But it all depends on the outside temp. and the speed you are moving.

A lot of builders here claim their heads will make your engine run xx cooler..but what does that really mean? Is that at cruising speed, idle, etc....

Mine has very good flowing heads on it and on a day like today at 34 degrees out, my ride in I measured 218 degrees on my front head (80 mph). If I let it sit and idle, the head temp will go very high...350 degrees + given enough time.

On 104 degree days, I've seen my front head get to 280 degrees at 80 mph.

One of the easiest ways to measure your head temp. is using an infrared thermometer gun. Just aim it at a spot close to the spark plug and take a reading. You can do this right after a good ride.

I would worry if my heads got over 350 degrees, that is the temp. most head builders use to push the valve guides out.

Regards,
NC

[MarkCrain]

My 07 ran 500 degrees on the rear and 400 on the front when stock. New pipes and AC with download got it to 420 and 320. THundermax and oil cooler got it to 380 and 280. 280 in front seems normal to me. 380 rear and 100 degrees difference between front and rear is NOT normal. I shoulda bought a beemer.

[skyhook]

mark,
great temperature documentation...I'd like to see what difference a cam change makes on your bike

[MarkCrain]

I am changing the headers right now. Slight delay as the V&H headers cause the wide band sensor to hit trans cover and turns out they break if you bend them. Who da thunk it. I plan on running the bike with new headers only, just to see if it helps (it won't) as some people think the problen is in the crossover. They been that way for years, but what do I know. Then on to a cam, I think a Andrews 26.

[nc-renegade]

Originally Posted by MarkCrain

My 07 ran 500 degrees on the rear and 400 on the front when stock. New pipes and AC with download got it to 420 and 320. THundermax and oil cooler got it to 380 and 280. 280 in front seems normal to me. 380 rear and 100 degrees difference between front and rear is NOT normal. I shoulda bought a beemer.

Where did you measure the 500 degrees? Close to the exhaust port?

[MarkCrain]

Originally Posted by nc-renegade

Where did you measure the 500 degrees? Close to the exhaust port?

Measured it just to the right of the spark plug.

[nc-renegade]

Originally Posted by MarkCrain

Measured it just to the right of the spark plug.

I would be really concerned measuring 500 degrees at the sparkplug! I would be really concerned about the valve guides at that temp. even at 380 degrees too.

Maybe I'm just paranoid, but that is too hot IMO. If memory serves me, Scott at Hillside had a problem with that temp. as well as it related to an article I quoted on another forum stating 500 degree head temps. measured on 07 bikes.

My head temp was 202 degrees today at 23 degree ambient and 80 MPH ride. At that same ambient, but at 45 MPH it was 221 degrees. In 104 degree ambient, I have gotten the front head to 350 before I put a parade fan on. T-Man and I examined my heads after the hot summer and the guides and valves were fine, but replaced them anyway.

[Big-dogs]

New to the V-Twin Forum and enjoy reading it. This thread caught my eye, sence a lot of the magazines are talking about the heat issues too. I have a number of bikes which include a 05 Deluxe and a 07 Springer Classic. I have noticed the heat difference in the two, but also understand the motor size and bore make a difference. Larger bore motors create more heat. With that said, I have read through all the replys and noticed that a very large amount of the complaints come from people who have FLH based bikes. Some of the softail owners feel there is a little or no problem. It may just be the air circulation around those bikes is less, and the heat build up is more. I also agree with the leaning out issue that Harley has done to meet EPA rules. I think most people are not used to larger bored motors, so they are also not used to the added heat. I still wonder if design in model is a part of the fractor....Great Fourm...

[rmc115]

Originally Posted by Big-dogs

New to the V-Twin Forum and enjoy reading it. This thread caught my eye, sence a lot of the magazines are talking about the heat issues too. I have a number of bikes which include a 05 Deluxe and a 07 Springer Classic. I have noticed the heat difference in the two, but also understand the motor size and bore make a difference. Larger bore motors create more heat. With that said, I have read through all the replys and noticed that a very large amount of the complaints come from people who have FLH based bikes. Some of the softail owners feel there is a little or no problem. It may just be the air circulation around those bikes is less, and the heat build up is more. I also agree with the leaning out issue that Harley has done to meet EPA rules. I think most people are not used to larger bored motors, so they are also not used to the added heat. I still wonder if design in model is a part of the fractor....Great Fourm...

The 96" has a longer stroke and same bore as the 88". My 07 ultra ran at least 30 degrees hotter than my 05. My leg would cook at a light until richening it up,still hotter but livable. My Fatboy is nowhere near hot (carburated).

[Big-dogs]

Originally Posted by rmc115

The 96" has a longer stroke and same bore as the 88". My 07 ultra ran at least 30 degrees hotter than my 05. My leg would cook at a light until richening it up,still hotter but livable. My Fatboy is nowhere near hot (carburated).

My error on that. I ment say stroked motor. I am installing a cooler to help the motor a little. I also use Mobil 1 to stand up to the heat a little better. Neither will do anything with the heat...

[grandpa Tom]

On my 07 heritage for the first 1k the oil dipstick temp was usually between 235-250. on normal riding and this was spring time. got it April 07.
After doing the 1k service and adding stage 1 and syn oil in all three at that time the temp. dropped to 215-225 for average riding, for the rest of the year even during the hotter months. I think the highest on the gauge I saw during train stop was 230 after waiting about 5 mins...

[sanfam93]

I guess my questions,

#1. Is Harley Davidson seeing a high number of engine failures?
#2 what is the average life span of a Stock Engine VS. a Modified engine
#3 Why not ride the hell out of bike tell the 24 months and unlimited mileage is up?

I see lots of bike for sale with very low mileage so engine failure should not be a concern with the average riding habits of most I sometimes think we convince ourselfs we need to do something to justify spending the money just my two cent. I will not change from my stock engine for at least the the 24 months. As for the heat I'm always cold when riding so it helps me a bit.

[35386]

I researched this site for problems with the 96 to help me decide whether or not to get a new FXD. Got it anyways and couldn't be happier. I was already used to heat coming off engines on my older bikes. Considering I'm in S.Florida and commuting in traffic it can get pretty hot but engine heat has never gotten to the point where I need to pull over and shutdown. The new FXD is no different. It may be a little hotter then my past machines but its not unbearable. No plans on upgrading anything, I'm keeping it stock for as long as I can.

[MarkCrain]

Originally Posted by rmc115

The 96" has a longer stroke and same bore as the 88". My 07 ultra ran at least 30 degrees hotter than my 05. My leg would cook at a light until richening it up,still hotter but livable. My Fatboy is nowhere near hot (carburated).

My 07 ran crazy hot. Rear was worse. When new 500 on rear 400 on front. Harley says not to worry its normal. BS!!!! Say it caused by front cyl. blocking air. Also BS!!!!! If I let it run sitting in garage its 100 degrees hotter on rear. Now have new pipes and thunder max. Cooler but still 100 degrees difference. I think oil jets not spraying piston or piston too tight. Harley won't check it cause its "normal" HD can kiss my A--!