anyone had tp rocker boxes changed out for s&s

[ZZ CHOP]

does anybody know the reason they use TP boxes instead of S&S? I also read on another thread last night there is a rumour the heads are not S&S either - anyone else heard that or know anything about it?

Lee bdm probably uses TP because their cheaper BD has used some complete TP engines, on the TP 107 they had a TP logo or Big Dog logo near the number boss and used a crane 304 camshaft. on the s&s engines their are 4 different push rod lengths and the TP their are only two lengths also the TP push rods are smaller in diameter, so some Einstein says lets use s&s bottom end and TP heads and rocker boxes.then they figure out the geometry is fcked up this is the reason most of their valve guides wear prematurely, if the geometry is correct the rocker arm will press on the valve stem dead center, if its pressing down more on either side it will wear premature, Ive built a lot of modified Chevy engines and using aftermarket heads and solid roller cams and lifters, most of the time I will have to buy a - or + push rod to make the correct geometry ..I hope BDM will learn from their mistakes...Dave.

 

[Raywood]

does anybody know the reason they use TP boxes instead of S&S? I also read on another thread last night there is a rumour the heads are not S&S either - anyone else heard that or know anything about it?

From old posts back in 05 it was thought that BDM went to the TP covers to meet EPA requirements of motor sound. Most people think EPA requirements are just atmospheric but in fact they also include noise requirements. Same reason they went to the E carb with restrictor plates. Both were eliminated in 06/07 after they figured out that there was no difference. Or so I've heard!!

 

[Cutter]

From old posts back in 05 it was thought that BDM went to the TP covers to meet EPA requirements of motor sound. Most people think EPA requirements are just atmospheric but in fact they also include noise requirements. Same reason they went to the E carb with restrictor plates. Both were eliminated in 06/07 after they figured out that there was no difference. Or so I've heard!!

That is what they claim... they also went with smaller valves.

I "fixed" that and went with Ti, and also had the heads done, compression, and cam when I had mine done since I was at the end of my warranty.

I figured that S&S said they can detune, and told them to do the top end without their blessing. -just speculation on my part-

 

[Mario77746]

Didn't change them out for S&S but my black ridgeback had chrome peeling on the front cover that I replaced with another new TP found on egay. And yes, the new one was just as noisey as the old one.....

 

[Cutter]

I think it is the premature wear that is causing the noise Mario, may want to get that checked - even though I assume you are out of warranty.

I have seen some so bad that they didn't need a blow down test... the valves wobble in the guides

 

[Throttle Jockey]

I learned from this site that the TP rocker boxes have four screws holding them down and the s&S have six bolts holding them down. easy way to know which one you have. Gases pics show that.

TJ

 

[Korben Dallas]

Boy this thread couldn't have gotten restarted at a better time. I also have a 05 Ridgeback with TP covers. The scoot had 1100 miles on it when I got it so I rode for a while and added about 700 more miles. I figured the motor would have to be in excellent shape with so little miles. As I was riding, I noticed more noise than I expected, so I became a little concerned. This is my first S&S experence, and everybody I talked to said "Just ride it", even the BDM shop I took it to. After I received my service manual, (thanks again Nelson), I read that if you have excessive valve train noise you should adjust the pushrods, so I raised the covers and spun them in my fingers to find that they were BENT! I then took the scoot to my wrench, who confirmed they were bent as hell. I called BDM CS who said that it appeared that someone tried to adjust them incorrectly and ended up bending them, so that pretty much cancelled any warranty (which was already expired) hopes. So, I told my wrench to go ahead and pull the heads, replace the valve guides and reseat the valves, replace the pushrods, replace the rocker arms, and put in beehive valve springs. I got the rocker arms for a deal, $388.00 brand new S&S, pushrods are $94.95, valve springs are $135.00, headwork is included in labor costs which is about $615.00. The only other thing that I want to do is to put on the S&S covers, but I can't find any. All of this is supposed reduce the engine noise considerably. Anybody know where I can get S&S covers? Any other suggestions?

 

[FatDog]

Same here, had the TP, now have the S&S.

 

[Chopper Dave]

when my scoot was at my dealer last winter....they changed my Tp's out to the S&S's ....as Cutty said....they found wear on my guides....they also put on new heads and S&S valve train......so everything was done under warranty:up: I noticed a big difference in the top end noise....you can barely hear it

 

[Cutter]

Any other suggestions?

Double check these #'s, but I believe the "true" S&S valves were 2.0 and 1.61.

Might want to ask your wrench if he's going with the S&S sizes, you'll probably be rejetting with the headwork anyway... :2thumbs:

 

[XTREEME]

Same issue here. But I knew that going in to my purchase, thanks to you knowledgeable folks on this site. :up:

New rocker arms, springs and boxes are on their way to my local service as we speak, all courtesy of BDM warranty.

I also found out that these 05/06's have a smaller head design as well, taking away at least 10 hp from the newer 117's. So, to combat that little problem, a new cam, port and polish will be underway shortly afterward.

I didn't buy this thing to run like a little pup, it has to live up to its name, right? Time to get it off the porch.

 

[lee]

yep - exhaust 1.605 and intake 2.00

 

[bdmridgeback]

Mine went in to dealer at 2500 miles due to a smoke problem when making a right hand turn only!

Come to find out, the valve guides were worn very bad the dealer said. The rings never seated and had hatch marks in the cylinders after 2500 miles.

BDM put all S&S components in new TP boxes, new cylinders/pistons/rings and said all problems fixed and nothing to worry about!!! I have kept these boxes waxed really well, and no signs of chrome problems.

 

[rhinoevans]

Boy this thread couldn't have gotten restarted at a better time. I also have a 05 Ridgeback with TP covers. The scoot had 1100 miles on it when I got it so I rode for a while and added about 700 more miles. I figured the motor would have to be in excellent shape with so little miles. As I was riding, I noticed more noise than I expected, so I became a little concerned. This is my first S&S experence, and everybody I talked to said "Just ride it", even the BDM shop I took it to. After I received my service manual, (thanks again Nelson), I read that if you have excessive valve train noise you should adjust the pushrods, so I raised the covers and spun them in my fingers to find that they were BENT! I then took the scoot to my wrench, who confirmed they were bent as hell. I called BDM CS who said that it appeared that someone tried to adjust them incorrectly and ended up bending them, so that pretty much cancelled any warranty (which was already expired) hopes. So, I told my wrench to go ahead and pull the heads, replace the valve guides and reseat the valves, replace the pushrods, replace the rocker arms, and put in beehive valve springs. I got the rocker arms for a deal, $388.00 brand new S&S, pushrods are $94.95, valve springs are $135.00, headwork is included in labor costs which is about $615.00. The only other thing that I want to do is to put on the S&S covers, but I can't find any. All of this is supposed reduce the engine noise considerably. Anybody know where I can get S&S covers? Any other suggestions?

With bent pushrod, how did the bike run, Notice anything about the performance of the motor?

 

[rhinoevans]

I just recieved my S&S motor manual. In the back which shows diagrams, I see S&S Die Cast Rocker box and S&S Billet Rocker Box. Is the S&S billet the same as the TP dicussed in this thread. The S&S Billet also only have 4 bolts on the top.

 

[Korben Dallas]

With bent pushrod, how did the bike run, Notice anything about the performance of the motor?

The motor ran fine, as far as I can tell, the only thing I have to compare it to is a 06 Street Glide that has been built. I did notice what I considered to be excessive valve train noise, which is when I found the bent pushrods when I went to adjust them.

 

[General_Mayhem]

See may full thread titled:
05 Chopper ~ Valve guides oval’d – NOT COVERED (HELP)

My 05 Chopper developed a tick in the front head. I went through the motions and researched it here, contacted the dealer. My bike is an 05 but was purchased in late 04 and I am told is out of warranty. I have 4200 miles on it, I am not the original owner. At the urging of the dealer I pulled the heads and brought them in. They pulled the springs and valves in front of me and sure enough both exhaust valves (front and rear) showed severe ovaling.