[67duce]

Sorry if I'm asking a lame question , just trying to learn abit and I'm wondering if I'm understanding the engine progression and development over the years. Is it ...
Iron head
Knuckle head
Pan head
Shovel head
EVO
Twin Cam

 

[gunnysgt]

The iron head is also known as a flat head. When I hear iron head I think of pre EVO sportsters. You need to add the Revolution engine that debuted in 2002 after the Twinkee came out in 1999

 

[dirtyshoprags]

Well, you got the general order correct except for Ironhead. Ironheads are the Sportster form of the Shovelhead.

 

[dirtyshoprags]

The iron head is also known as a flat head.

Negative. The Flathead was produced long before the Ironhead sportster. First model came out 1919-1920? Then it was off and on until the 50s. And it was used in the Servi-car until the 70s. Looks like this:

http://www.flathead-bobbers.com/flathead_1949/images-hd0132/DSCF3242hfb3-468x495.jpg

 

[filterless]

actually gunnysgt is right also. flatties and knucks had iron cylinders and
heads. pans and shovels iron cylinders, aluminum heads. evos and tcs all
aluminum. pretty sure cases have always been aluminum, maybe not on
flatties.

04

 

[motrhd]

Actually you are all sort of correct......The Flathead engine has always been refered to as the Flathead, and then followed by 45,74,or 80, depicting cubic inch. The Knuckleheads were produced from 1936 to 1947, and maybe some in '48, they were either 61 or 74 cubic inch. The Panhead came out in 1948 and ran through 1965, they were 74 cubic inch, and I believe early on they were also produced in 61 cubic inch, I may be wrong on that. The Shovelhead came out in 1966 and ran through 1984, they were 74 and 80 cubic inch. The Evo came out in 1984 as 80 cubic inch ,and you pretty much know the rest, Twin Cam arrived in 1999 as 88 cubic inch. Also the Revolution, or V Rod.
Ironhead has always been used to refer to pre Evo Sportsters, 1957 to 1985, they started as 55 cubic inch and grew to 61 cubic inch.
Hope this helps............

 

[MadCity]

If you google "Harley-Davidson engine timeline," Wikipedia has a pretty good one: link.

 

[67duce]

Thanks every one , nice link MadCity. I remember about 89 or so my roommate bringin home a brochure for a 883 with the EVO engine and it seemed that's around the time the EVO came about and Harley's image was boosted from the AMF days.