shovelhead- stock or stroker

[hawkeye]

Ok guys need some help. i'm getting ready to build a motor, a shovel, and need to the pros and cons of building a strocker or going stock. i have bought used cases have all other parts except rods (one is broke went through the case). so i have to buy new rods anyway. havn't checked checked the wheels yet so dont know if i can use them. but i do have new heads. my question is when building a stroker motor what all has to be changed from stock? is it worth it? any help will be helpful.

[Kainam]

You will need a stroker crank and stroker pistons.

Is it worth it? I think so, I did it to my TC when it only had 300 miles on it.


Id say do it now, since you are asking about it. If you don't, you will always be asking yourself "what if"?

[MrMarty51]

If it is stock and unworked cases You might have to machine out the cases for bigger wheels,depending on how much of a stroker You are going to build.
I agree,If You are thinking about it now then do it.

[hawkeye]

thats what im thinking too. the what if factor! thanks

[Badassbrutus]

Only do a mild stroker nothin big that way itll be dependable a big stroker isnt trust me I know found out the hard way on many a bike and they were all kickstart.

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by hawkeye

Ok guys need some help. i'm getting ready to build a motor, a shovel, and need to the pros and cons of building a strocker or going stock. i have bought used cases have all other parts except rods (one is broke went through the case). so i have to buy new rods anyway. havn't checked checked the wheels yet so dont know if i can use them. but i do have new heads. my question is when building a stroker motor what all has to be changed from stock? is it worth it? any help will be helpful.

I agree, in that a mild stroker maintains reliability. Shovels are a tad doggy when bone stock, but a mild stroke, stock flywheels, a decent cam, upgraded carb and thought out exhaust make them run their best. The 1984 jugs were 1340ccs, over the 80cid ones used for the years prior.

You can check with some experienced builders regarding good slugs to run it it, and up the compression a little over stock, but not crazy, especially if it's kick-start only. If not, you'll be looking at compression releases installed in the heads.

My 72 had stock crank, Keith Black Hyperutectic pistons, stainless, Nitrid coated valves, 3 angle valve job, Andrews cam, Reworked Zenith/Bendix carb and shorty mufflers. It pulled that fat, heavy FL sled very well. It wasn't stroked, but had I kept it, that would have been the next step.....

[hawkeye]

ok this is my first build so i don't know much trying to do all research, thats why im here. when you say mild stroke do you mean 4.5 stroke with stoke jugs? or with stock rods? i was thinking 4.5 stroke with big jugs and mild pistons and stock heads? am i close or way off?

[hawkeye]

ok this is my first build so i don't know much trying to do all research, thats why im here. when you say mild stroke do you mean 4.5 stroke with stoke jugs? or with stock rods? i was thinking 4.5 stroke with big jugs and mild pistons and stock heads? am i close or way off?

[Kainam]

Just wondering, are these cases from a 80" engine?

Cylinder length will be stock length unless you get into the more radical strokers.
How you can do this is with stroker pistons that locates the wrist pin higher up in the piston so that it is at the same height as stock at TDC, it just gets pulled down further than stock at BDC.

You can go 4 5/8" stroke before you need longer cylinders on 80" Shovel cases.

9.5:1 pistons at 3 5/8" bore would put you at ~96"
Woods W6 for a cam

[hawkeye]

I got my cases today. they were made in 04-82 hd shovel 80". so 4 5/8 stroke would that be stroker crank, wheels , and rods?