Swapping Your Harley-Davidson Engine is Better than a Rebuild

In a total rebuild situation would you spend the money and take the time for a complete rebuild on your current engine or go for a fully built crate engine?

I beat on my 96" S&S for almost 20 years. That thing never once puffed any smoke, burned any oil, or failed in any way. Amazing engine. It was also faster than anything I ever encountered from the mid 90's to around '99.

I'm in the middle of a rebuild for my Twin Cam and yes, It would be much cheaper to buy a new crate motor. But then I'd have something that someone else built. I've always felt that half the fun of owning these things is working on them. Love your videos. Thanks for the info.

Cleveland, OH. 131 dealer installed upgrade total cost was $8,200. It should be noted that this final, out the door price, was after they gave a 15% parts & labor discount!

I keep telling myself when I blow my engine that I'll just put a crate engine back in it as it's still cheaper than buying another bike... And more than likely it will be the S&S... Awesome video brother 👊🏽😎

Well, I've built/rebuilt quite a few motors myself. The selection of high-quality, high performace components has never been better! Especially for the older/vintage/classic motors like Evos, Shovels, Pans, Knucks and Flatties!
However, the skill and experience to put them all together properly is rapidly disappearing!

I am 72 years old.
The day my engine blows up will be the last day I ride.
I hope it holds on a few more years.😂😆.
Everybody Ride safe.

I just had my 96 twin cam built to a 107 with stage 5 pushing 125 hp 134 torque ,very happy with the outcome .

Rebuilt my 103, crank up with an S&S flywheel, Timken bearings, new cams (s&s 585), pusrods/lifters, chain, and tensioners, cylinders bored 10 over with Carillo 10.5:1 pistons, and heads intake ported with valves and seals cut... out the door with labor 4,200 ... I'm happy with it.

Another thing to think about is a transmission I had a 2014 Street Glide with 80,000 mi , I put a 131 crate engine in it and it tore apart the transmission with the Xtra power.

Great video!
About a year ago my 08 flhtc motor needed doing. I opted for the Harley 110 SE. Motor was about 4k+ labor. Came to about 8k but that was cams, clutches, primary chains alternator etc. Also new drive belt, bushings every where. So I basically have a new 08 with a 110 for about 8k. Worked for me.

I learned from another channel that S&S's warranty only covers parts. So they may replace a pair of $30 base gaskets under warranty, but the owner is still on the hook for the $800 in labor. Just something to consider........

Harley long block program is really the balls financially. I've done it all ways, the only thing with crate is basically reinstalling a stock engine. Bravo for your advise to folks. great site. Love it, watch all your videos

I already have a warranty because I own a '99 Heritage Springer last year evolution motor it's bulletproof. She rides like a dream and I can fix it.

It's certainly easier from the standpoint of labor to just pull the old motor out and put the new motor in! You can be done in matter of hours vs the time taken to tear down and go through an old motor.

If anybody has a twin cam 88 and it hasn't grenaded on you yet go immediately and have the crank pinion checked. They are known to get way out of balance and destroy your oil pump sending fragments of metal all inside the lower end of your motor. It cost me about 2k (from an individual) to have it rebuilt and that was just back to stock specs. Also have the cam tensioners changed to roller bearings instead of those orange plastic pieces.

2002 FLHT Electra Glide Standard started as an 88” which I then took to a stage 4 95”. I split the cases and built a 107”, reusing my plate, pump, lifters, Mikuni HSR42( for now ) and DTT ignition. Had jugs bored and pistons matched, along with newer 96” heads worked and Tman 590 cams for $2,300. Built and balanced 4-3/8” crank was $1,000. Gasket kit for $200. So I built a stage 4 107” for around $3500. You can expect to pay twice that and more having a shop do it for you. All the proprietary tools pay for themselves after one use and will potentially add to the bill if needed.

Great advice. Perfect solution especially for the rider that gets a great deal on a high milage bike and doesn't plan on putting a lot of miles on the bike. Or myself, with lots of sentimental value in my old 2001 Heritage but, at 71 years old , I realize the long high speed trips are behind me. Plus if the builder of your original engine makes a mistake during reassembly you can be sure of a legal battle before it is put right. Just get the new engine at 25 to 30 percent the cost of a new machine. Heck, I don't even insure my old Harley for theft anymore. That saves a ton of money every year.

You forgot about the Timken bottom-end-saver! 😮

I'm the warranty for my panhead