dolt
Well-Known Member
Guess I should have been more clear as to my goal. I will be big boring and having headwork done ,,etc,at a later date. I know enough about cams to be dangerous. The intake timing on the 254's just seems weird to me ...The opening event ...Most of my cam choice experience comes from years of performance bbc boat stuff. You don't need to tell me different animal ....I know that much. In the end I'm just wanting my bike to run respectable...A stock Harley whatever is a dog IMO,...The 37's in my old flht were a good fit for me (especially after I did the big bore and top end)....so that is why my initial question was asked
Even if you install a 4* advance sprocket with the 254s, the intake close is still 39*; the advance sprocket will help but won't achieve your goal. IMHO, always better to get the right cam rather that try to "put lipstick on a pig" with an advance sprocket.
The 37's set at 10:1 with the right exhaust, decent heads and right exhaust will roll off some good numbers. If you were to go that way, I would suggest boring to 3.938" for 107", use a domed piston to get the compression up and minmimize the cutting on the heads to achieve the desired compression. JMHO but the 37 has been around a long time and while still a good all around cam, there have been some better profiles produced since by S&S and TMan and Andrews. If you like the 37s, take a look at the 57s, same profile but more lift. Go to the Big Boyz website and use their compression calculator to configure your build. CP pistons are available in that bore in a 3cc and 6cc dome. Better to have headwork done and end up with 89cc-90cc chambers and domed piston than cut the heads down to 76cc-78cc for flat top pistons. The small chamber volume makes those head useless for future builds or for sale to a future buyer because they are cam limited.
Best advice I can give is take your time, don't make quick decisions, find a head porter you have confidence in and work with the porter to develop a build plan. Don Dorfman (Dewey's Heads) and Kirby Apathy (VTwin Performance), Scott Palmer (Hillside Cylces), Steve (GMR Perfromance) comet to mind.