Revtech motor installation in Harley-Davidson

After many kilometers and after an important breakdown caused by the wear of the internal components we have reached this point where it almost costs the same to repair the engine or replace it with a new one, equipped with the latest technologies in manufacture. We finally opt for this important renewal: we will replace the heart of our machine, the engine, for a new unit.

The opportunity
Generally when the possibility of replacing the complete motor of a vehicle with a new vehicle is commented, some catastrophic sensation comes to mind, intuiding a very expensive procedure.
Actually, if we analyze the situation coldly, it is more an opportunity to renew and at the same time improve a component that has reached the end of its useful life cycle, because romanticism separately, the engine is still a set of mobile metal parts that interact between them millions of times, causing wear and permanent deformations that on the other hand the manufacturer has predicted, but to some extent: there is a time where there is so much wear that although certain internal components are renewed by new ones by new ones, they will see their shortly shortened, forcing us again to an anticipated change. Explained in a simple way: from a certain amount of kilometers or wear it is cheaper in the medium and long term replace the complete engine. (The one who does not create this one that takes a calculator and ask a friend with a "old" engine how much money he has invested in keeping him working in recent years).
A decisive factor that helps to understand all this is how manufacturing procedures in the last 10 or 15 years have changed: thanks to technology now it is manufactured with lower tolerances and better materials, and most importantly, at a much lower price That a few years ago. On the contrary, the specialized labor, is increasingly expensive, which leads us to the following conclusion: "Before the pieces were faces and cheap labor, now it is quite the opposite."
With these data when for some reason we have to make a great importance in an engine with many years or kilometers it is very practical to consider the change option.

Motor choice
Today there are many options to obtain a new price unit at a reasonable price, from the Company Motor to renowned manufacturers such as S&S, TP Engineering, Ultima Products, Revtech, Jims ...
Explain the steps to follow in the choice of the appropriate engine for each need would occupy a complete article, we will only remember the most important keys:
-I intend to acquire a product of a recognized brand, which ensures continuity in obtaining spare parts in the future. If your engine has lasted more than 20 years, it should last more than 30, so you will need pieces for future repairs.
-Chare the size (and character) of the engine depending on its use. For day to day in a large city and sporadic trips, not install a "monster" with excessive compression and displacement.
-Inforemate. Read, ask, consult professionals and get your own conclusions, the more information you get more criteria you will have to make a good decision.

A practical case
Vamos a proceder al cambio de un motor completo en un modelo Harley-Davidson Softail de 1995, con muchos kilómetros y bastante castigado por varios propietarios y mecánicos poco “ortodoxos”.
The original engine is an Evolution of 80 CI (1340cm3), and has been chosen as the best option for the specific needs of the current owner a Revtech unit of 88 CI (1442 cm3), with substantial technical improvements, such as greater compression, technology of technology, technology of Boards used in the TWIN CAM models, reinforced crankshaft and mounted through the modern system, larger cooling fins, reinforced crankcase and a long etc. maintaining the essence of '80.

Mounting
This would be the summary assembly sequence, as always following the specifications, procedures and tightening pairs of the service manual and the engine manufacturer itself:
1. We empty the oils and disassemble the fuel tank.

2. We disassemble and extract the crankcase and primary transmission.

3. We release the bolts that hold the engine to the chassis.

4. We extract the original engine and insert the new engine in its place.

5. We align the engine and tighten the clamping bolts following the order.

6. We make all electrical connections and install oil ducts.

7. After putting oil we start the engine and adjust carburetor and ignition, we are ready to roll again, for many kilometers!

Frank Burguera

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