"A" cam vs "B" cam TC88

12999 Views 30 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Smokin Sam, Nov 21, 2014

Smokin Sam

Discussion Starter · Sep 25, 2014

I'm putting together a fuel injected TC88 for a buddy (on a pensioner's budget). His cam tensioners sh!t the bed and took out the cams too. I have a set of stock "A" cams (carb) with a gear set and I'm wondering if they will work to replace the stock "B" cams (fuelly) I took out. Does anyone know for sure?

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02Deuces

· #2 · Sep 25, 2014

I dont know how to answer your questions but, I have a set of stock cams out of a 88b....I swapped to gear drive....If you want the correct cams from a FI TC88b (came out of a 02 FXSTDi) let me know...They have 34k on them, it is the whole thing, chains, cams, everything gear drive replaces, needs new tensioners they were close to shot.

Make an offer on them, and we will go from there. They are in the S&S box in my cabinet in the garage. I'm not trying to get rich or nothing, just trying to help out.

Smokin Sam

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 25, 2014

If you look at the case bearing side of the cams they will have "A" or "B" engraved on it. This designates it as a carb cam or a fuel injection cam. Either cam could be in a TC88A or TC88B motor depending on it's fuel system. I think it's all about how the gears mount. The A cam is splined and the B cam is keyed. I have gears for both styles. I'm just wondering if anyone has tried the swap or has better knowledge before I try to use a hammer to tune a piano. Thanks for the offer of help!

Breeze3at

· #4 · Sep 25, 2014

Very little difference. Compare here.
http://www.bigboyzheadporting.com/tccams.htm

67Duce

· #5 · Sep 25, 2014

Smokin Sam said:
If you look at the case bearing side of the cams they will have "A" or "B" engraved on it. This designates it as a carb cam or a fuel injection cam. Either cam could be in a TC88A or TC88B motor depending on it's fuel system. I think it's all about how the gears mount. The A cam is splined and the B cam is keyed. I have gears for both styles. I'm just wondering if anyone has tried the swap or has better knowledge before I try to use a hammer to tune a piano. Thanks for the offer of help!

He pulled them from a FXSTDi , so it's injected , Softail = B motor .

Smokin Sam

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 25, 2014

Cool site! The cam #s aren't to different. Hmmmm. Those B cams out of the B motor would absolutley work in the A motor I'm working on. I'm just wondering about the physical fitment of the A cams as a replacement. My question is; Will "A" cams fit and work in a fuel injected bike?

Smokin Sam

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 25, 2014

Here is a pic of the two styles of cams I'm talking about. It's not about a balanced motor.

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67Duce

· #8 · Sep 25, 2014

What year is the motor ?

Smokin Sam

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 25, 2014

99-05

67Duce

· #10 · Sep 26, 2014

I was thinking the cams were changed , the 99 - 00 had key-ways , 01 up went to splines I believe ?

Smokin Sam

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 26, 2014

Will "A" cams fit and work in a fuel injected bike? If ya don't know,.... please don't comment.

02Deuces

· #12 · Sep 26, 2014

Smokin Sam said:
Will "A" cams fit and work in a fuel injected bike? If ya don't know,.... please don't comment.

Why dont you talk to your buddy and see if he wants B ( fi ) cams in his bike. The A cams may work, but why not put in the correct parts? You can have this set for $30 and the cost of the ride....other wise, no need to be a dick....every one is attempting to help...

chasarms

· #13 · Sep 26, 2014

You should not confuse the "A" and "B" labels of the cams with the A" and "B" labels of the motors.

In regard to the motors, "A" and "B" does not indicate carb or EFI. It indicates conventional or counterbalances. The "B" indicator refers to the counterbalance used in the rigid mount TC Softails.

02Deuces

· #14 · Sep 26, 2014

chasarms said:
You should not confuse the "A" and "B" labels of the cams with the A" and "B" labels of the motors.

In regard to the motors, "A" and "B" does not indicate carb or EFI. It indicates conventional or counterbalances. The "B" indicator refers to the counterbalance used in the rigid mount TC Softails.

Exactly...I was going to post that but seemed like OP was already getting annoyed no one had answered his questions exactly.

chasarms

· #15 · Sep 26, 2014

Smokin Sam said:
. . . . before I try to use a hammer to tune a piano. . . .

The tool used to tune a piano is actually called a hammer!!

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Smokin Sam

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 26, 2014

Thank you chasarms for understanding and Breeze3at for the extremely useful link.
02Deuces I am ONLY seeking information. I ask a simple question because I am trying to LEARN SOMETHING and the first thing you do is try to sell me something. Who's being rude here? OP? Really? I appreciate that you are trying to help but the last thing I want to do is buy a set of cams that were removed cuz they're worn out. I'm NOT looking for attitude on MY thread. Please don't post it here.
I'm still looking for an answer to my question. Has ANYONE tried it?

02Deuces

· #17 · Sep 26, 2014

Smokin Sam said:
Thank you chasarms for understanding and Breeze3at for the extremely useful link.
02Deuces I am ONLY seeking information. I ask a simple question because I am trying to LEARN SOMETHING and the first thing you do is try to sell me something. Who's being rude here? OP? Really? I appreciate that you are trying to help but the last thing I want to do is buy a set of cams that were removed cuz they're worn out. I'm NOT looking for attitude on MY thread. Please don't post it here.
I'm still looking for an answer to my question. Has ANYONE tried it?

My cams we not removed because they were worn out....Show me a set of cams that are worn out at 34k and i'll buy you dinner. Tensioners yes...worn out...Not the cams...The reason no one has tried it is because it probably doesnt work. Did you look at the numbers from the link posted before? There were differences all over the place on that chart.

Any way, i'm done...Have a nice day....

chasarms

· #18 · Sep 26, 2014

I don't know anyone who has tried it (or at least talked about it) but I have read a awful lot of threads and listened to a lot of conversations about converting a EFI twin cam to carbed, I don't know of anyone who mentioned having to change the cams.

Smokin Sam

Discussion Starter · #19 · Sep 26, 2014

Some people never learn.... still not tryin to buy or sell anything, just trying to learn something and have a nice day without attitude. Thanks chasarms. I was thinking it could be a timing issue or something. I think the fuelly cams were changed slightly by the factory to give them that "Harley sound" at idle cuz they were "too smooth".

67Duce

· #20 · Sep 26, 2014

Basically cams are going to have degrees of duration , lift ,and overlap , these are the specifics you need to know about the cams your comparing, "A" and "B" really doesn't tell much with out specs.

The lope your referring to is the longer duration / overlap cam lobes , the more lope the less likely they make good power a low RPM's , sound cool though.

Cams target a RPM power band and compression ratio , don't see much concern whether its FI or carbed in aftermarket cam selection though , you just tune which ever your using accordingly.

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