deltaesierra
Member
I see a lot of owners on here replace the TP rocker boxes for the S&S rocker boxes, is there a problem with the TP boxes that I should be aware of. Also, are the S&S rocker boxes a direct fit onto the 117 motor. Thanks
TP rocker boxes
- Thread starter deltaesierra
- Start date
You have S&S 117 with TP rockers? Wow.
Be nice Mick.....
There were some geometry issues @ one time. @john sachs can prolly give you more technical insight.
Well I have TP rockers to. But on a TP engine not a S&S. I can imagine there might be some problems with that...why would they do that in the 1st place? I thought the motors for the most part came complete from the respective manufacturers.
Jersey James
Jersey James
It is my understanding that Big Dog assembly their S&S motors at their own facility.
john sachs
Well-Known Member
Tp boxes on a TP engine? Should NOT be an issue. Apples with apples.
john sachs
Well-Known Member
What I have found. Most owners, who have the TP boxes on S&S engines, don't realize there's a problem, until the shit hits the fan, or unless they get involved removing the EPA power killing parts, when doing upgrades for more performance. I find it generally takes 8,000 miles or more, before they realize the problem makes them aware. If you check the valve stem/rocker imprint, you can easily tell from the pattern, that the geometry is off. Wild Steed Works, Curtis, makes shims to correct this problem. The shims have to be used early, before any problem starts to get out of hand.
John
John
Mikeinjersey
Well-Known Member
Welcome from NJ,
You may find this video informative and interesting to watch. Marky-Marc has a bunch of really good Big Dog how-to video's .
deltaesierra
Member
Good info, thanks! Hopefully there isn't a major issue that I don't know about, I just purchased the bike about a month ago and haven't ridden it because it's as hot as balls here. Is it mostly a ticking that I would be hearing if there is a problem or what other issue's should I be looking for. If there isn't any wear would you recommend changing them out for the S&S?
mleach72
Well-Known Member
The TP alignment issue can sometimes cause valve guide wear. This will usually cause ticking and excessive oil consumption. There are many members with TP's with a lot of miles with no problems. One member here had over 80,000 miles with no problems. Other bikes have had problems within a few thousand miles. It's a crap shoot. I like my TP's. I have 22,000 miles with no problems. I plan on keeping them until I have problems. If that happens, it will give me a good excuse to do some head work.
Pddain
PHTM II
Thanks. I will check it. Any outward symptoms like metallic noise etc. the noise is how we found the slipped ring.
Thx for this post Pat. I was wondering what years that BigDog had done this. Still seems very odd to try & pair up 2 different manufacturers. Do you happen to know why they did this? Enquirers like to know.
mleach72
Well-Known Member
I have heard stories that BDM was trying a bunch of things to stay under the new epa regulations in '05. The E carb and restrictor plates were an attempt to stay under emissions. Besides emissions, there were new engine noise regulations as well. Supposedly, the TP's produced less noise. I think when they realized that the pre-assembled S&S engines were still under the new laws, they went back to them.
mleach72
Well-Known Member
It's possible, but I don't know how much of a savings that would be considering they would have to cover engine warranty work themselves instead of S&S. I think they did it to give themselves more control over the building of the engine in regards to the new emissions laws. At first, I don't think they knew how strict they were going to be. They may have had to modify the pre-assembled S&S engines, so they probably figured that they might as well build the engine themselves. They ended up with somewhat of a Frankenstein motor. Mostly S&S, with TP rockers and a cam from Comp cams.
Coolbreezin
Active Member
I have over 85,500 miles and of all the crap I had to replace to keep Sheldon Coleman's POS running, never had any issues with my TP's. Everything else, yes. But the S&S and Baker have stood the test of time.