KaptinAmerika
Guru
Those are definite dead give aways that you needed to replace them for sure.
TP to S&S Boxes?
- Thread starter Viking
- Start date
bruce
Active Member
TP head were made by engineering total performance in danbury, CT. this is were I ordered my gaskets from. I spoke to DUKE WAINRIGHT ( vice president ) - but this was several years ago. he was very helpful and even send me install direction, with that and info here on site like how to adjusted push rods it was not to hard. you should have owner manual for torques etc. there phone is 203-744-4960. If you need more help or want to talk about feel free to call me 717-382-9983 - Bruce
It's kinda like cancer. Starts out no noticeable symptoms, grows into problems, and then the shit hits the fan. :bang:
The picture I posted is from a customer's TP boxed cylinder head who drove in this summer to have performance upgrades done. Said he just went on a quick trip to Key Largo the weekend, and the bike was running ok.
As soon as I removed the exhaust valve spring I knew there were problems.
I find a lot of owners DON'T know if their bike is running right.( Some of the pipes, carbs, and air cleaners I see on these things make me laugh).
2 weeks later Trotta brought me a similar looking head off of another TP equipped Dog. That picture is also somewhere on this forum. Valve guide disintegrated, bent valves, etc.
John
Listen to the man with experience or at least check the heads properly as Curtis has said and don't just replace the gaskets and hope for the best!!!
One of these days John will get sick of giving good advice to us because we don't listen. I certainly would if I was in his shoes.
End of my rant.
Paul.
How do you know what is brewing under those TP boxes?
How many motors with TP boxes and some mileage have you pulled apart?
I know my reply is a bit harsh but I know who I would listen to!
Paul.
bruce
Active Member
I do agree with checking things out, when you have things apart -like for cracked parts etc., but I no from personal work that there is a good chance he may only need gaskets. Please remember there are others on this site that have time working on cycle, etc. I have been working on car, cycle, planes, boats for over 40 years and still do - I own a shop. I do not give a lot of advice except on things I have done. You do have to be careful when getting advice to fix anything on any website, sometimes a persons 2 cents is not worth 1 cent. Remember trying to fix on line is a educated quess, any person using info on line should no there limitations
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bearman
Active Member
And they should realize that in the end they make their own decisions.
Some will say red, some will say blue, others may even say green, whatever you decide it is, YOU are the one stuck with it.
Beast
New Member
Keep in mind, the ONLY accurate way of verifying the condition of the valve guides is to measure them. Taking the top covers off and looking at the valve stem really proves nothing. A lot of that wear on the stem is caused from the roller style arm. Let me repeat myself...
THE ONLY WAY OF VERIFYING THE CONDITION OF THE GUIDES IS TO MEASURE THEM!! That requires removal of the entire top end, removing the valve springs and valves, cleaning and measuring the guide with a small hole gauge. However, if you can feel the play between the valve and guide while holding the valve in your fingers, it's most likely worn.
:flag:
THE ONLY WAY OF VERIFYING THE CONDITION OF THE GUIDES IS TO MEASURE THEM!! That requires removal of the entire top end, removing the valve springs and valves, cleaning and measuring the guide with a small hole gauge. However, if you can feel the play between the valve and guide while holding the valve in your fingers, it's most likely worn.
:flag:
john sachs
Well-Known Member
It's all about valve installed height geometry. TP boxes are manufactured to be used with Harley Davidson valve installed height. S&S uses a different valve installed height than Harley Davidson, and compensates for it in their rocker box set up. 
I do prolly over a hundred sets of heads each year, and every set of S&S heads that comes through my doors wearing TP boxes are ALWAYS in poor shape guide wise. :angry:
It is what it is.
John
I do prolly over a hundred sets of heads each year, and every set of S&S heads that comes through my doors wearing TP boxes are ALWAYS in poor shape guide wise. :angry:
It is what it is.
John
bearman
Active Member
Thanks John, good info.It's all about valve installed height geometry. TP boxes are manufactured to be used with Harley Davidson valve installed height. S&S uses a different valve installed height than Harley Davidson, and compensates for it in their rocker box set up.
I do prolly over a hundred sets of heads each year, and every set of S&S heads that comes through my doors wearing TP boxes are ALWAYS in poor shape guide wise. :angry:
It is what it is.
John
ChopperJeff
Active Member
If I had kept my Chopper, I would have had the TP converted to S&S. At 57,000 miles I had the oil pump quit working, due to a TP valve guide breaking, and sending a piece to the oil pump which then jammed it.
FrankBDPS
Well-Known Member
I think the curse goes back a little further. My 2000 has them on. Four bolts right? They match the TP transmission case.
KaptinAmerika
Guru
Are you sure your motor is not full TP
FrankBDPS
Well-Known Member
This is the best pic I could find. The heads,jugs and case are all cast with S&S.
Attachments
francoblay1
The Spaniard
Diesel Dan
Well-Known Member
Well......ACTUALLY ANDREW BARNES...(Beast is REALLY Andrews new ALIAS for those who don't know)............There is another way also......
Check this out!!!!!!! This was taught to me by GM Senior Master Engine Guru who worked at the General Motor's HI-Performance Clinic's I use to go to.....Very Smart man.....
First remove the spark plug for the cylinder your working on
2nd....get a couple feet of soft 1/4 rope and insert it threw the spark plug hole,about a foot of rope in the cylinder will work....
3rd...Rotate engine around until piston starts to come up on TDC....The rope will push up against the valves and hold them in place
4th....remove spring,retainer and locks from valve,get a Dial Indicator base mount and mount it securely, insert your dial indicator in mount..... Zero it out and wiggle valve back and forth and measure the amount of slop you have in your guide......
Don't have to dis-assemble your engine at all......old school trick that works great HOOO--YAAAHHH....:2thumbs::2thumbs:
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KaptinAmerika
Guru
Are the rockers stamped with TP because those sure look like the older style S&S boxes.
KaptinAmerika
Guru
Will definitely have to remember that one.
Funny thing about all this though is the thread turned into a whole lot of drama when all it should really be about, for all the lay people out there, is:
Pull your rocker assembly
If you have a bad pattern on the end of your valve stems, as shown before by Franco, then you MUST change out to S&S or eventually face the consequences.
If your pattern on the valve stem is clean and centered put your shit back together and leave it alone.
Funny thing about all this though is the thread turned into a whole lot of drama when all it should really be about, for all the lay people out there, is:
Pull your rocker assembly
If you have a bad pattern on the end of your valve stems, as shown before by Franco, then you MUST change out to S&S or eventually face the consequences.
If your pattern on the valve stem is clean and centered put your shit back together and leave it alone.