TP or S&S ??

[Viking]

OK, so here is a serious question about the heads of the 117, maybe not a true 117, but a 117 nevertheless. My friend has TP and wants to send them in for re chroming due to the fact that there is some corrosion on them and he doesn't like it. I asked him why he didn't just change to the S&S heads since they are better. He then asked what is so better about them? To which I could not answer. I also have the TP heads and after 22.000 miles I have zero issues with them. Is there a good reason to change to S&S if the TP works just fine? If so, what is the cost of changing to S&S? He basically just wants the chrome to look new and is happy with what works, just like me. Thanks for any serious replies as this might lead to me replacing mine as well, or me saving whatever the cost is.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Look at the tops of the valve stems.
If there is a clean straight wear pattern in the center of the stem your golden.
If there is an hour glass shape pattern or the wear mark is off center of the stem then it is highly advised that they be changed.
Not all the TP setups had issues, yours for example, but many did.
Otherwise one is just as good as the other in terms of a streetable ride.

 

[BBChopper]

OK, so here is a serious question about the heads of the 117, maybe not a true 117, but a 117 nevertheless. My friend has TP and wants to send them in for re chroming due to the fact that there is some corrosion on them and he doesn't like it. I asked him why he didn't just change to the S&S heads since they are better. He then asked what is so better about them? To which I could not answer. I also have the TP heads and after 22.000 miles I have zero issues with them. Is there a good reason to change to S&S if the TP works just fine? If so, what is the cost of changing to S&S? He basically just wants the chrome to look new and is happy with what works, just like me. Thanks for any serious replies as this might lead to me replacing mine as well, or me saving whatever the cost is.

Is your friends motor a TP or S&S? TP heads on an S&S???? This isn't a dog right?

Mine had the TP boxes I changed them out at 15k just had the heads done at 20K had two bad valve guides, there are some have had no issue like Ray other than a tank rattle....LOL. Was mine a TP issue who know's but the chrome on the TP's suck anyway I changed the tops twice and didnt last a year almost like my HD's..

 

[Viking]

Look at the tops of the valve stems.
If there is a clean straight wear pattern in the center of the stem your golden.
If there is an hour glass shape pattern or the wear mark is off center of the stem then it is highly advised that they be changed.
Not all the TP setups had issues, yours for example, but many did.
Otherwise one is just as good as the other in terms of a streetable ride.

Thanks a million. Its what I thought, you just saved me a bundle of $$$

Is your friends motor a TP or S&S? TP heads on an S&S???? This isn't a dog right?

Mine had the TP boxes I changed them out at 15k just had the heads done at 20K had two bad valve guides, there are some have had no issue like Ray other than a tank rattle....LOL. Was mine a TP issue who know's but the chrome on the TP's suck anyway I changed the tops twice and didnt last a year almost like my HD's..

It's a 2005 K-9250 with 117" motor and TP boxes. The chrome on the boxes is his only issue with the motor so he will just chrome them and reuse. He is sending a lot of small items off the dog to that new shop in Titusville so time will tell if they are any good. We are both the "Don't fix it if ain't broke" kinda guys. But if an improvement is needed we'll be all over it.

 

[BBChopper]

Thanks a million. Its what I thought, you just saved me a bundle of $$$




It's a 2005 K-9250 with 117" motor and TP boxes. The chrome on the boxes is his only issue with the motor so he will just chrome them and reuse. He is sending a lot of small items off the dog to that new shop in Titusville so time will tell if they are any good. We are both the "Don't fix it if ain't broke" kinda guys. But if an improvement is needed we'll be all over it.

I would go S&S but thats just me, Space Coast is right up the road and have done all my chrome. I have two sets of TP's if he wants one so he doesnt have to tear it down he can have one. I also think the TP's make more noise...

SpaceCoast Plating in melbourne florida

 

[FrankBDPS]

I wonder what the price comparison is between rechroming and purchasing new ones.

 

[Viking]

I would go S&S but thats just me, Space Coast is right up the road and have done all my chrome. I have two sets of TP's if he wants one so he doesnt have to tear it down he can have one. I also think the TP's make more noise...

SpaceCoast Plating in melbourne florida

That's very generous of you. As you figured, it is for Mark's bike. I will forward the offer to him. Is the chrome perfect on yours? Thanks.

 

[BBChopper]

I wonder what the price comparison is between rechroming and purchasing new ones.

Good point!

Looks like S&S gets about 600 for the cast ones which I have, I paid around 300 from Kurtx here in Florida and mine came with rockers....

http://www.sscycle.com/product/Die-Cast-Rocker-Cover-for-1999-Up-Big-Twins-and-S-S-4-1-8-p24225.html

 

[Mickeetwo]

If you decide to go S&S you will need

SKU 900-4065A Roller Rocker arm set $478.95
SKU 90-4110 S&S Rocker Boxes $599.99
S&S Rocker Arm Shafts $35.00
$1,113.94
I've been wanting to do this since 2007. Just never seem to have the money and the dog has been running good. Now at 27,000 miles and she keeps on ticking along. I also want the 585 cam and need to change my lifters. One day I'll make the change.

 

[francoblay1]

I am replacing the heads and installing S&S boxes next week. I will post pics.

 

[mcgroom]

If you decide to go S&S you will need

SKU 900-4065A Roller Rocker arm set $478.95
SKU 90-4110 S&S Rocker Boxes $599.99
S&S Rocker Arm Shafts $35.00
$1,113.94
I've been wanting to do this since 2007. Just never seem to have the money and the dog has been running good. Now at 27,000 miles and she keeps on ticking along. I also want the 585 cam and need to change my lifters. One day I'll make the change.

Forum pricing available.

PM me with questions and as always, here to help.

 

[Mickeetwo]

Forum pricing available.

PM me with questions and as always, here to help.

Thanks Mick.....I need help with the money part

 

[john sachs]

Some say "I ain't had no problems with my combo of TP boxes on S&S motors. Like this customer who dropped his 13,000 mile BD '05 chop off for a build. He said the bike was running ok.
Well, upon disassembly I found an intake manifold to head vacuum leak on the front cylinder. :bang: After removing the heads, on the surface all looked ok, and after removing the valves, this is what I found. :angry: Kinda like a good looking women with aids. Bottom line the head now needs an exhaust seat.
What I'm saying is because all seems right, you never really know (when geometry is screwed up) until you take it apart.
John

 

[Viking]

Some say "I ain't had no problems with my combo of TP boxes on S&S motors. Like this customer who dropped his 13,000 mile BD '05 chop off for a build. He said the bike was running ok.
Well, upon disassembly I found an intake manifold to head vacuum leak on the front cylinder. :bang: After removing the heads, on the surface all looked ok, and after removing the valves, this is what I found. :angry: Kinda like a good looking women with aids. Bottom line the head now needs an exhaust seat.
What I'm saying is because all seems right, you never really know (when geometry is screwed up) until you take it apart.
John

And in all honesty, that could never happen on an S&S ?

My TP has 22.000 miles and the bike is running just fine. The bike in question has 5.000 miles and runs just fine as well, he just wants new chrome, keeping everything else as is.

Thoughts?

 

[john sachs]

And in all honesty, that could never happen on an S&S ?

My TP has 22.000 miles and the bike is running just fine. The bike in question has 5.000 miles and runs just fine as well, he just wants new chrome, keeping everything else as is.

Thoughts?

This customer's bike was running fine, so he thought. He even took a fairly long round trip Saturday. It wasn't fine, as you can see. When you have poor geometry, you will most likely have problems eventually.
To answer your question, NO I've never seen shit like this from a S&S or Ultima motor, and I've had my hands in a lot of them.
John

 

[RRRUFF]

In case John is absoulty right. Elongated valve guide and the contact patch on the fave stem was considerably misaligned. My opinion all S&S.

 

[leandean99]

I have tp rocker boxes, one needed rechroming so I sent it off, a lot cheaper then switching to S&S if you have no other problems, I have a 640 cam with no issues.