Twin cam engine oil temps.

[Dave63]

This has always been a hot topic. I wanted to share a post (or parts of it) from something I read years back.

I read an article in a magazine where a guy joined HD's design techs to assist in /designing building the HD twin cam engine. It was suggested by him, after what he saw, that EVERY TC motor run an oil cooler and Synthetic oil, to lower temps, since the EPA forced them to comply with strict a/f ratios. HD TC engines on Synthetic PROVENLY ran cooler, and ones using coolers for the oil, ran even cooler yet.

Funny.....wasn't it about 1999-2000 HD came out with their "own" Synthetic blend oil? I'm not sure...........

The reason HD didn't run factory coolers was, they "...were afraid that if the consumer saw a factory oil cooler, they'd think HD was hiding an overheating problem, and adding the cooler to cure it."

That was a quote, as to the response when the question was asked.

The three best things you can do to lower temps in your HD TC engine is to: (in this order)

1.) Add more fuel to the a/f mixture.

2.) Add synthetic oil

3.) Add a cooler if you live in a hot climate.

Evo's never had hot running issues. My Evo runs at 168-185 oil temps all day long, on the hottest days of the year, on ORGANIC 60wt oil...not even synthetic.

Do the math people........

[geouhl]

I've also been reading the threads on what the "proper" temp should be and also what's considered too hot. I'm very new to this so I did purchase the dipstick with the temp gauge so I can see how it reads during different riding. I'm averaging around 200 the way I have it now (2002 WG with stock motor, Rinehart Slipon Exhaust and rejetted carb) on regular oil. Harder riding will bring it up to 220 and on colder days riding to work it will be around 180.

I will be switching to syn on my next oil change and also installing the lifetime oil filter which I believe is also supposed to help bring down the temp. Others have said the lifetime oil filters (from TooBadCustoms in the classified section) do help bring the temp down so I'm going to see how all that works out for me. With the outside temps the way they are now, it probably won't be until next year when I get a good chance to test it.

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by geouhl

I'm averaging around 200 the way I have it now (2002 WG with stock motor, Rinehart Slipon Exhaust and rejetted carb) on regular oil. Harder riding will bring it up to 220 and on colder days riding to work it will be around 180.

There's the key............ MORE FUEL, and a properly running engine, not EPA-Lean.

[AlienX]

I agree completly Dave, and I'm sure that's the mentallity of those idiot corporate azzes. They probually got a bonus' for the money saved on not installing coolers. One more thing that lowers temp is volumn of oil flowed into heads, my fueling hi volumn droped it noticably, don't go over 200 in the heat, synthetic, no cooler

[Blackdog 15]

Yeah Haw Dave.....!!!! Run Mobil ! in ur HOT weather,,richen you mixture a little, and a good oil cooler will help...Even more, look into the Pure Power oil filter...I run all this together,, my Twin Cam is an ice cube machine now...eats up 90-100 degree days....

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by AlienX

I agree completly Dave, and I'm sure that's the mentallity of those idiot corporate azzes. They probually got a bonus' for the money saved on not installing coolers. One more thing that lowers temp is volumn of oil flowed into heads, my fueling hi volumn droped it noticably, don't go over 200 in the heat, synthetic, no cooler

Not sure it went that way, but as stated in another thread: HD didn't get to be a multi-billion dollar entity, by giving things away.

The point is: We know better, so correct it. Correcting it makes it run cooler/last longer.

HD did mostly what they did, because of Federal EPA mandates. Really....if not all of it. That's pretty obvious.

They're under sanctions like any other vehicle MFG'er. The problem, is trying to make modern gains, on WWII technologied, air cooled v-twin engines, and STILL make the Feds happy.

Is HD screwing their buyers? Yes and no...

They're giving the diehard V-twin lover their aircooled bike, but making it run so lean, it's insane, to please the EPA, and continue production. I feel they're riding something out as long as possible, that has to end sometime....

Think about it......... How many companies last over 100 years?

Not many.

[Blackdog 15]

The Feuling oil pump and cam plate is my next install along with the Andrews 37G gear drive cams...more oil.....less drag....= cooler engine...more power...and it'll last a lot longer....

[MikeSandy]

Originally Posted by Dave63

Think about it......... How many companies last over 100 years?

Not many.

Just the ones worth keeping Like HD & S&W !

[AlienX]

Originally Posted by Blackdog 15

The Feuling oil pump and cam plate is my next install along with the Andrews 37G gear drive cams...more oil.....less drag....= cooler engine...more power...and it'll last a lot longer....

Exactly my combo, with fueling lifters, andrews push rods. I'm likein it allot, worth every penny

[Dave63]

That's motorcycle porn to me...........