Evening people, I have a softail with the Evo engine v twin and have been told that I would be needing a new engine, I'm not mechanically minded but have been told that I could prob get a new s&s engine and slap that straight in..... What the best option? How much should a top end rebuild cost, how much does a full rebuild cost? And how much will a s&s engine cost fitted?? Any ideas?? Cheers fellas 

What did your mechanic say that drives the need for a new engine? I would ask him if it also comes with a jar of vasoline...lol..

He said that it's going to need a top end rebuild and you can't tell the bottom until you do the top and if it does need a bottom it would probably be better to buy a bolt in engine... Like I said mate not mechanically minded so I thought I would ask the question.... I wouldn't even know how much a top and bottom end rebuild are worth, so if you have any ideas let me know

So the questions i have would be:
- What year is the bike?
- Does the engine go okay or is it buggered? ie what caused you to take it to a mechanic in the first place
- Top end rebuilds are not that expensive depending upon what needs to be done. And thats the kicker; what exactly does he say needs to be replaced?
- Once you get into the bottom end then things start getting expensive as the engine needs to be removed and the cases split etc....It all starts adding up.

Haveing said that; the Evo engine is pretty bullet proof and they are well known to be able to do very high mileage.

hey tussuck thanks for the advice..... he did say that I should get the tope end done in about 2000kms and he will check if bottom needs to be done he said its a strong engine but cant say if it needs to be done unit the top is off.... its a 92 fatboy it didnt come with log books and i couldnt just go off trust when he said "its been regularly serviced" so I had it in for a major and a general check over it. He did mention top end is ok [rice wise but when you get to bottom your better off buying a new motor and bolting that straight in... I found that pretty honest....

Thanks for the advice kiwi

dyno mate im up at the central coast.....

Just wanted to know what would be the best solution if it is worst case senario of a top and bottom re-build but all your advice has been helpfull.... cheers fellas keep them coming

Hmmm, I wonder how it has been determined that it requires any rebuild to begin with? You rode it happily until some random dude tells you that you need one?!? My mate/ mechanic tells me for years now that eventually I will require one as it leaks a little bit here & there and burns some oil. But guess what, I've been ignoring that advice since oil is a lot cheaper than an engine rebuild. I'll ride it until it blows up- that will be my signal that it's time to repair, not one minute sooner.

IMO you should just change all the fluids and ride the heck out of it. I did a top end rebuild as i was installing the turbo and wanted everything airtight, but did most of the work myself except for things like honing where i do not have the tools - its not that hard actually if you have the manuals.

Top end rebuilds start at around a $1000 and should cover off things like:
- valve guides (inspect/replace)
- reseating the valves into the valve seat
- inspect/replace the rocker arm bushes or rods etc
- light hone of the cylinders
- new rings
- new gaskets all around obviously (good ones too like James or Comet)

They should inspect the con rods when the jugs are off and that's when you get a feel for if the bottom end needs work. If its fried then a new motor may be cheaper (make sure they inspect bottom end play prior to the top end work) - you can then go for a 120" something or other as well...lol...not that a stock Softail setup would handle it too well though.

Cheers Bob