Ironhead 1960 XLCH in the UK

[lynnx]

Thanks for that - all grist to the mill in making decisions (or paste to the valve grind)
Just realised I have stainless valves - so bronze guides it is if I reuse them.
Has anyone used Falcon performance (valve seats) or Street Sport (valves and guides)
I,m quoting these companies because the websites give dimensions, which I need.
The guides came out as you would expect ie nice and tight but moveable, and the outside diameters are all 0.5655 ish so I,m going to need oversize it seems.
By the time I,ve bought the parts, shipped and had them fitted I reckon I,ll be in for about $450 so if anyone has a good set of heads with 1970 spec valves let me know!

[lynnx]

Questions questions.

My service manual (57-65) states max valve protrusion at 1.420" for those years.
Does this carry across to later years?
(A company called Goodsons seems to think so - same for all ironheads)
My current exhaust protrusion is 1.555"!

I have heads 16681-57 and 16683-57 (incorrect for year) with rockerboxs post 1971.
The valve sizes also indicate post 1970 (ie 1.937" inlet) and stainless valves with bronze guides (that are oversize)….

I,m beginning to think I should just chuck this lot in the bin and start again as I need valves, guides and seats.
The only thing hanging this together is I know it WAS just about working lol.

Anyone got some gentle words of encouragement and wisdom?

[lynnx]

AND whilst I,m at it …..
I have a 1PB,2P,3P,4PB cam set - which doesn,t seem right- or at least I haven,t found any reference to it.
I was wondering if it had odd valves/cams in it to explain the depth of the valve seats but I think its just worn.

[needspeed]

^^
You may have a cam combination sold by Andrews cams. Their PB exhaust used with stock P intakes.

The cams should have no affect on valve recession. As to the recession: How would you fix that? Oversize valves or installed seat inserts? What is the diameter of your exhaust valves. 1-9/16 is stock.

[ccmman]

Lynxx dont despair!
Im not sure about the significance of the valve stem protrusion going over spec on a Sporty, presumably valve train geometry goes out, or something at the tip/spring cap hitting the cover, or you may run out of adjustment.
So you may need valve seats, but another option is bigger valves. There may be such a thing as an over-size valve supplied just for this job, you just need to have clearance for the extra diameter.
Surely better than trying to source new heads??
Keep on keeping on!!

[ccmman]

Sorry just read your previous post and you already have new over-size valves?
Does this not sort out the protusion problem?

[lynnx]

Nah, just having a bad day with the verniers is all.
The heads are probably standard 1970,s fare, judging on the valve sizes. Pt No,s might tell, but no information on that yet.
There is no actual damage to anything, apart from severe exhaust valve recession, and nothing is irrecoverable. Valves, seats, guides + engineering and, because I,m in the UK - postage, import charges and VAT. (=30%)
Just the COST waaaaaaaah!!!
I,m just getting to the cost option that useable heads are cheaper, despite import costs, than repairing the repairable heads (that are not original to the bike) I have.
See the problem?
Thanx for the support tho!

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by lynnx

C,mon, I live in the UK …. NO one really knows xxxxxx All about Ironheads here.

Used to be you could call Fred Warr and ask him. Official UK Harley dealer since 1924 - and the only one for 30 years, until the 70's... https://www.warrs.com/about-us

He liked to see the bikes being ridden - was very helpful/knowledgeable when I got my '64 in the 80's; usually left the well-heeled types and came over to chat if you bowled up for parts.

Might still be someone there who knows the old bikes.

[the yukon sizzler]

www.fastlaneheadwork.co.uk Alex is up near Lincoln, the only guy to trust with harley heads this side of the pond. HTH.

[Ferrous Head]

In the past I have generally found it is not worth reconditioning heads if you need to replace the seats.
I often see very good heads some up on Ebay and I would probably just wait for a good set. In the past I've even seen NOS heads selling for less than the costs of replacing the seats and buying guides.
Any head pre 1972 will work for you. The 69 and later castings are better but it's not a big deal at all. The valve sizes are really unimportant unless your after every last HP.

The mix of P and PB cams is no big deal. Only minor differences.