Reliable, easy to start in all temperature ranges, good power and fairly economical. Coming in two different models of V-Twin engine, 88 and 88B, the twin cam was initially released for the production year 1999. Although they’ve subsequently been replaced by a more modern version of the same engine (as of 2006) a good number of Harley Davidson riders … Like everything mechanical, the Twin Cam 88 has it's Achilles heal, the tensioners. The Twin Cam initially was not used in the Softail model family before the year 2000. 1999-2006 Harley Davidson introduced the Twin Cam motor. This could be due to the fact that Harley uses the same piston cylinders for the 110's as they do for all the other displacement twin cam's, just a larger internal bore. The actual design itself is designed poorly. I've owned three Harley's and never had any engine (or trans) problems, but none of … The tensioners were shot, especially the primary, but the engine ran fine. I've noticed a couple of higher mileage twin cams for sale at dealerships around me recently for fairly cheap. And then there is that heat issue. 8,054 Posts . The Twin Cam was designed to make factory assembly easier (and of course cheaper) at the cost of most of it being disposable rather than rebuildable. 4) A combination of counter-balancing and rubber-mounting. Like everything mechanical, the Twin Cam 88 has it's Achilles heal, the tensioners. So if the only thing gained was power, the TC is a total fail.
I'm beginning to wonder if I'm entering an area of concern. Other than that, the engine is a good one. The new design runs so cool, Harley’s engineers were able to crank compression as high as 10.5:1; add that to an 8-valve engine with a 55mm throttle body flowing 50% more air than the Twin Cam, and they were able to crank a lot more power out of the new engine. The cylinder fin mass seems to be insufficient for the increased bore and stroke. Harley-Davidson.
88B and 96B Engines. Discussion Starter • #1 • Dec 2, 2014. The Harley-Davidson Twin-Cam V-twin was introduced in 1998. I've heard of issues with cam chain tensioners in the earlier 88" twin cams. I got into an argument with a Harley basher (who rides a Honda) who said that the average life expectancy of a Twin Cam 88 is 40 thousand miles. Here’s a look at the technical elements and developments that allowed the 88-cu.-in. Twin Cam 88, 95, 96, 103 and 110 CID engines Horsepower Gallery : Performance and Technical information on engines for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. It utilizes plastic shoes “riding” on the cam chains that can and will actually wear out in due time. The rear cylinder heat issue is causing havoc with these 110's vs. the 88's, 95's and 96's. I'm approaching 75K on my 2004 TC88 (stock internals, no mods). The Twin Cam 96 was released for the 2007 model year. Did this issue carry over to the 96 or is this even a big issue at all? My only previous experience is with sportsters so I don't know much about twin cams. In order to run the valve train Harley went to a cam chain tensioner set up utilizing a spring loaded shoe putting pressure on the cam chain with push rods.
The main problem of the Twin Cam engine of the Harley Davidson is probably it’s the design aspect of the cam chain system. engine the increase power and reliability. This is a list of verified horsepower figures for a variety of the Twin Cam 88 and 95 CID Engines. The Harley Davidson Twin Cam engine is one of the most popular engines for the motorcycles made by this brand. There are several ways to address the problem from a simple tensioner replacement, to the roller chain conversion or a gear drive. Even with its brand new hydraulic tensioning system, this problem still exists and is not a lasting fix for the said issue. The Twin Cam 88 was released for the 1999 model year in September 1998. They also used, and I can' remember the technical name of the chain, an older chain design.
A police issue Twin Cam 96.
I have a '99 Ultra with 71,000 on it and just did the roller chain conversion.
I argued, but had nothing to back it up.