I found a Sportster engine for sale. What are the first things I should check or replace?

When starting with a used engine of unknown history, it's wise to at least perform a top-end refresh. This typically includes new gaskets, checking cylinder and piston tolerances, and inspecting the valve train. This gives you peace of mind and a reliable starting point.

What are the easiest ways to get more power from my stock Sportster engine?

The most common and effective "Stage 1" upgrades are improving airflow. This means installing a high-flow air cleaner and a less restrictive exhaust system. These two changes allow the engine to breathe more freely and will deliver a noticeable performance gain without ever opening up the motor itself.

I'm rebuilding my engine. How important is it to replace all the hardware?

While not always strictly necessary, it's highly recommended. Engine hardware is subject to countless heat cycles and stress, which can cause it to stretch and weaken over time. Using new, high-quality head bolts, case bolts, and other hardware ensures proper torque specs and a leak-free, reliable engine for years to come.

Raw Harley-Davidson Big Twin Motorcycle Engine

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Old-Stf Cycle Shovelhead Rocker Box Split Oil Lines - Brass
29 reviews $91.43

Gasbox Strong Arm Top Motor Mount With Crank Key Mount 1948-1984 Harley Big Twins
5 reviews $74.95

Gasbox Strong Arm Top Motor Mount With Coil Mount 1948-84 Harley Big Twins
5 reviews $74.95

Old-Stf Cycle Shovelhead Rocker Box Split Oil Lines - Stainless Steel
13 reviews $114.29

Gasbox Strong Arm Top Motor Mount with Coil Mount - 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Evolution
$74.95

Gasbox Strong Arm Top Motor Mount for Crank Start Key Switch - 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Evolution
$74.95

James Gaskets Top End Gasket Kit 1966-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
$71.99

Andrews EV27 Camshaft - 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$226.76 $251.95

Gasbox Strong Arm Top Motor Mount 1948-84 Harley Big Twins
5 reviews $69.95

Gasbox Strong Arm Top Engine Mount For Early Big Twin Engines In Gasbox Frames
$74.95

Lowbrow Customs FiltroMax Belt Drive Mounting Bracket
11 reviews $21.61

Old-Stf Cycle Shovelhead Rocker Box Split Oil Lines - Stainless & Black
$99.95

S&S Cycle H-Grind Camshaft - 1948-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
1 review $230.36 $255.95

Gasbox Strong Arm Top Motor Mount With OEM 71425-77 Ignition Switch Mount 1948-84 Harley Big Twins
1 review $74.95

Colony #7132-12 Aluminum Alloy Tubular Adjustable Pushrods & Lifter Adapters - 1966-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
$85.45

Cycle Standard Swingarm Isolator Mount 1987-2008 Harley-Davidson FLT 87-94 FXR
1 review $25.05

Colony #8204-4 Hydraulic Lifter Converters Eliminate Hydraulic Units 1953-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$34.05

Colony #8603-8 Adjustable Pushrod & Solid Lifter Kit 1984-Up Harley-Davidson Evo
2 reviews $102.11

Old-Stf Cycle Pushrod Cover Keeper Set - Drilled Brass - Big Twin Evo Shovelheads & Knuckles
17 reviews $40.00

Cycle Standard Isolator Motor Mount - Rear - 1991-1998 Harley-Davidson Dyna
$101.61

Gasbox Front Motor Mount Spacer Plate Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Panhead UL OEM 438-48 24795-48
5 reviews $15.00

James Gaskets Complete Rocker Cover Gasket Kit 1984-1991 Harley-Davidson Evo Big Twin
$88.41

James Gaskets Top End Gasket Kit 1948-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead
$40.59

#2233-12 Rocker Arm Shaft Washer O-Ring Kit Harley Shovelhead 66-84 — Colony #2233-12 Rocker Arm Shaft Washer O-Ring Kit 1966-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead 1957-1984 XL
21 reviews $6.05

Colony #7518-4 Aluminum Alloy Tubular Pushrods 1936-1947 61c.i. Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
$55.00

Colony #9213-4 Upper Inner Pushrod Covers 1979-Up Harley-Davidson Shovelhead 1984-Up Evo 1986-1990 XL
1 review $39.11

Colony #8728-12 Rubberized Cork Pushrod Cover Seals Pre-1979 Harley-Davidson Panhead/Shovelhead
18 reviews $9.08

Colony #2142-12 Pushrod Cover Seal Kit 1979-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
3 reviews $13.40

Cometic Gasket Inc. Cam Change Gasket Kit - 1993-99 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$26.20

Cometic Gasket Inc. Cam Change Gasket Kit - 1970-92 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$26.20

Colony #3351-4 Rocker Arm Thrust Washer Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
$12.09

Colony #2146-2 Tappet Oil Screen & Spring 1970-1999 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
2 reviews $10.42

Colony #2496-2 Tappet Oil Screen and Spring 1966-1969 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
$6.96

Colony #3528-2 Manifold Intake Nipple Brass Seals 1923-1924 Harley-Davidson DCA/DCB 1925-1929 74" 1928-29 61"
$7.87

Colony #7120-4 Aluminum Valve Retainers - All Harley-Davidson Davidson OHV 74's
$35.13

Gasbox Strong Arm Top Motor Mount - 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Evolution
$74.95

Colony #3145-4 Rocker Box Drain Tube Kit 1936-1937 Harley-Davidson 61 Knucklehead
$35.00

Hawg Supply "Swirl" Engine Cover 1936-1954 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Machined Finish
$99.99

Colony #3557-1 Sprocket Shaft Bearing Retainer Seal 1955-1968 Harley-Davidson 74's
$8.25

Colony #3556-1 Sprocket Shaft Seal 1940-1954 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$6.60

Cycle Standard Isolator Motor Mount - Front - 1991-2017 Harley-Davidson Dyna
3 reviews $108.56

Colony #3658-8 Circuit Breaker To Coil Wire Fastener Assembly 1949-1964 Harley-Davidson Twins/K/KH/Sportster
$9.90

Colony #3657-8 Circuit Breaker To Coil Wire Fastener Assembly 1936-1948 Harley-Davidson All Twins
$9.90

Cycle Standard Front Motor Mount 1982-94 Harley-Davidson FXR 80-08 FLH FLT
$31.61

Colony #3671-1 Starter Solenoid Plunger Cover 1965-1988 Harley-Davidson Big Twins 1967-1980 XL
$9.68

Andrews V4 Camshafts - 1986-1990 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL
$454.46 $504.95

S&S Cycle Quickee Adjustable Pushrod Set - 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
2 reviews $202.46 $224.95

S&S Cycle High Performance Hydraulic Tappet Set - 1984-99 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1986-90 XL
1 review $343.76 $381.95

S&S Cycle Precision Hydraulic Tappet Set 2000-Up Harley-Davidson XL 2017-Up M8 1999-17 Twin Cam
$251.96 $279.95

Andrews J-Grind Camshaft - L1977-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
$226.76 $251.95

Andrews A2 Camshaft - L1977-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
1 review $226.76 $251.95

Andrews A2 Camshaft - 1948-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$226.76 $251.95

Andrews N-Grind Camshaft - 1937-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
$231.26 $256.95

Andrews EV46 Camshaft - 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$226.76 $251.95

Andrews N4 Camshafts - 2000-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 2000-02 Buell
$454.46 $504.95

Andrews N4 Camshafts - 1991-1999 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 1994-99 Buell
$454.46 $504.95

Andrews N2 Camshafts - 1991-1999 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 1994-99 Buell
$454.46 $504.95

S&S Cycle 500 Camshafts - 1991-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL
$575.96 $639.95

S&S Cycle 482 Camshafts - 1986-2020 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL
$575.96 $639.95

James Gaskets Cam Change Gasket Kit - 1993-99 Harley-Davidson 80 inch Big Twin
$30.10

James Gaskets Cam Change Gasket Kit with Metal Cam Cover Gasket - 1993-99 Harley-Davidson 80 inch Big Twin
$36.14

James Gaskets Cam Change Gasket Kit with Metal Cam Cover Gasket - 1970-92 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
1 review $36.14

S&S Cycle V80 Series Complete Assembled Evo Long Block Engine - Natural
$7,519.95 $7,999.95

S&S Cycle SH93 S&S Shovelhead Engine - Complete Harley Big Twin Motor
$9,399.95 $9,999.95

S&S Cycle S&S P93 Series Complete Assembled Panhead Engine
1 review $10,806.19 $11,495.95

Cannonball Oil Pump 1936-52 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Panhead - Replaces OEM# 26201-41 26201-48
1 review $1,052.69

Cannonball Tappet Guides 1936-47 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Replaces OEM# 18610-36 18600-36
1 review $1,125.79

Cannonball Harley Flathead Engine Crankcase 1937-1948 - Replaces OEM# 24515-37
$3,652.49

Cannonball Crankcases 1948-1952 Harley-Davidson Panhead - Replaces OEM# 24520-48
$4,265.75

Cannonball Crankcases 1941-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Replaces OEM# 24520-41
1 review $4,295.10

Colony #2877-2 Spring Guide Collar Set 1929-1980 Harley-Davidson All Models
2 reviews $9.68

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