Okay, here’s my blog post about my experience with the Twin Cam 88 motor:
Alright, folks, gather ’round! Today, I’m gonna spill the beans on my little adventure with the Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88 motor. It wasn’t some fancy professional build, just me, in my garage, getting my hands dirty.
Getting Started
First things first, I scored a used Twin Cam 88. It wasn’t exactly pristine, a bit grimy, but hey, that’s part of the fun, right? I started by giving it a good once-over. Just checking for any obvious damage, missing parts, that sort of thing. Basic, you know?
The Teardown
Next up, the teardown. I slowly took this bad boy apart. I used my trusty old service manual as a guide, the most important tool in this stage. Taking pictures during every step to keep everything in my mind! Man, there are a lot of little pieces in there! I carefully organized everything – bolts, washers, gaskets – into labeled baggies. No way I wanted to lose track of anything.
Cleaning and Inspection
With everything apart, it was time for a major cleaning session. I scrubbed, soaked, and scraped away years of gunk and grime. Once everything was sparkling (well, as sparkling as old engine parts get), I started inspecting. I looked for wear on the cylinders, checked the pistons for any scoring, and made sure the connecting rods were straight. Everything needed to be just right, you know?
- I found some minor wear, that is expected I guess.
- Nothing I couldn’t handle, for sure!
Putting It Back Together
Reassembly! This is where those photos I took came in super handy. I carefully put everything back together, making sure to torque all the bolts to the correct specs. I double, maybe triple checked and make sure all steps were in order. I definitely didn’t want to miss anything crucial.
The Moment of Truth
Finally, the moment of truth. I got the motor back in the frame, hooked everything up, and held my breath. I hit the starter, and… she roared to life! That feeling, man, that’s something else. It’s like, “Yeah, I built that!”
So, that’s my Twin Cam 88 story. It wasn’t perfect, there were a few hiccups along the way, but that’s part of learning. The main thing is, I did it, and I’m pretty darn proud of that. And I’m ready to ride and enjoy my own work!