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--- techtalk:ref:svcproc26 [2020/03/02 04:19]
hippysmack [Compression Ratio]
+++ techtalk:ref:svcproc26 [2024/01/22 21:42] (current)
hippysmack
@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 ====== Squish Band ======
-The squish (AKA "quench") band refers to the area or areas, \\ where the piston comes very close to the cylinder head while passing through top dead center (TDC). ((http://www.hammerperf.com/ttcheckingsquish.shtml)) \\ {{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:squish_band_3_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}} ((drawing by aswracing of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1720575)) \\
+The squish (AKA "quench") band refers to the area or areas, \\ where the piston comes very close to the cylinder head while passing through top dead center (TDC). ((http://www.hammerperf.com/ttcheckingsquish.shtml)) \\
+{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:squish_band_3_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&400|}} ((drawing by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/160330-squish-band-clearance?t=1720575)) {{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:squish_band_by_aswracing.gif?direct&250|}} ((drawing by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/89229-conversion-using-used-parts-where-to-go-from-here?t=715370)) \\
 Even though the fire has already been lit, these areas still contain unburned air/fuel mix as the piston arrives. \\
 The piston sandwiches the air/fuel up next to the head, causing it to "squish", and shoot out toward the flame front. \\
@@ Line 21: / Line 23: @@
 ====== Measuring the Squish Band ======
 ===== Indirect Method =====
 You can use a piston height gauge to measure how far above or below the cylinder deck the piston is sitting at TDC. \\
 Then add that measurement to the gasket thickness. \\
@@ Line 28: / Line 29: @@
 {{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:1200-1250_squish_band_measurement_by_hippysmack.jpg?direct&400|}} ((drawing by Hippysmack))
-===== Direct Method =====
+===== Direct Method =====
 You'll be placing some soft material, such as .065" solder, onto the squish band area of the piston. \\
 (clay has been used for this also but it's not as accurate as using solder which won't change thickness) \\
@@ Line 41: / Line 42: @@
   * Write the measurements down to conclude and average the squish band dimension.
-|  Solder held with grease. ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM ))  |  Remove the heads to reveal how far the solder was compressed. ((photos by JohnK of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?p=3944070))  ||
+|  Solder held with grease. ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/160330-squish-band-clearance?t=1720575))  |  Remove the heads to reveal how far the solder was compressed. ((photos by JohnK of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-motor-top-end/132786-fixing-a-leaky-top-end-with-pics/page6#post2887799))  ||
 |{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:squish_band_1_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:checking_squish_1_by_johnk.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:checking_squish_2_by_johnk.jpg?direct&300|}}|
-|  Measure the compressed side of the solder pieces. ((photo by JohnK of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?p=3944070))  |  Write the measurements down to conclude and average squish band dim. ((photos by JohnK of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?p=3944070))  ||
+|  Measure the compressed side of the solder pieces. ((photo by JohnK of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-motor-top-end/132786-fixing-a-leaky-top-end-with-pics/page6#post2887799))  |  Write the measurements down to conclude and average squish band dim. ((photos by JohnK of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-motor-top-end/132786-fixing-a-leaky-top-end-with-pics/page6#post2887799))  ||
 |{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:checking_squish_3_by_johnk.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:checking_squish_5_by_johnk.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:checking_squish_4_by_johnk.jpg?direct&300|}}|
 ====== Gaining a Squish Band Due to a Conversion ======
 **Converting an 883**: \\
-An 883 head has a hemi chamber with no squish band but it's chamber is only 3" in diameter to match the 3" bore size of the 883. ((aswracing of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1802811&page=3)) \\
+An 883 head has a hemi chamber with no squish band but it's chamber is only 3" in diameter to match the 3" bore size of the 883. ((aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/167919-883-to-1200-1250-conversion/page3?t=1802811&page=3)) \\
 What's fundamentally wrong with the hemi design is that it gives very poor chamber turbulence. \\
 Poor chamber turbulence means poor air/fuel mixing, resulting in pockets of fuel. \\
@@ Line 57: / Line 59: @@
 This is because you're now putting a 3-1/2" (1200) or 3-9/16" (1250) diameter piston under that hemi chamber. \\
-|  883 head on 883 cylinder (no squish). ((drawing by aswracing of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1802811&page=3))  |  883 head on 1200 or higher cylinder (squish gained) \\ Also 1200 head on 1250 or higher cylinder w flat top pistons  ((drawing by aswracing of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1720575))  |
+|  883 head on 883 cylinder (no squish). ((drawing by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/167919-883-to-1200-1250-conversion/page3?t=1802811&page=3))  |  883 head on 1200 or higher cylinder (squish gained) \\ Also 1200 head on 1250 or higher cylinder w flat top pistons  ((drawing by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/160330-squish-band-clearance?t=1720575))  |
 |{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:squish_band_5_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}}| {{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:squish_band_3_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}}|
@@ Line 67: / Line 69: @@
 **Converting a 1200**: \\
 ====== Machined Squish Band ======
+Deciding ahead of time on the performance upgrades you want is important. \\
+When you prepare heads, the chamber wants to get bigger. \\
+This happens for a variety of reasons. \\
+The valves are sunk in the heads to gain (valve to valve) and (valve to piston) clearance. \\
+As well as correct valvetrain geometry, and they're heavily unshrouded to improve low lift flow. \\
+As in the head picture above, all these things increase chamber volume and makes the compression ratio lower. \\
+At the same time, moving up the power scale really calls for more compression, not less, as the cams you'll use bleed off more compression. \\
+You can deck the heads to drop the chamber volume somewhat, but that has limitations and bad side effects. \\
+However, the coarse adjustment for the CR needs to be the piston and head decking should only be used for fine adjustments. \\
+Therefore, if you do your conversion with the standard dished conversion pistons, you put some constraints on future performance work. \\
+You're simply not going to be able to run as much cam or do as much head work so long as those standard conversion pistons are in your motor. \\
+Check with your engine builder / supplier for further assistance if you're looking for a complete performance package. \\
-|  Piston and head with matched squish band. ((drawing by aswracing of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1802811&page=3))  |
+|  Piston and head with matched squish band. ((drawing by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/167919-883-to-1200-1250-conversion/page3?t=1802811&page=3))  |
 |{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:squish_band_9_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}}|
+====== Reverse Dome ======
 A piston with a reverse dome has a dish in the middle of it. \\
 That dish is needed because when doing a conversion, you've got a chamber that's sized for an 883 and a piston that's sized for a 1200 or 1250. \\
@@ Line 95: / Line 112: @@
 By dishing the middle of the piston deeply as shown below, the CR can be used on street bikes. \\
-|  Reverse dome piston. ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1802811&page=3))  |  30° Reverse dome piston. ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1802811&page=3))  |  Heads machined to match the pistons. ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1802811&page=3))  |
+|  Reverse dome piston. ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/167919-883-to-1200-1250-conversion/page3?t=1802811&page=3))  |  30° Reverse dome piston. ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/167919-883-to-1200-1250-conversion/page3?t=1802811&page=3))  |  Heads machined to match the pistons. ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/167919-883-to-1200-1250-conversion/page3?t=1802811&page=3))  |
 |{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:squish_band_6_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}}| {{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:squish_band_7_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:squish_band_8_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}}|
-Deciding ahead of time on the performance upgrades you want is important. \\
+====== Lightning Heads ======
-When you prepare heads, the chamber wants to get bigger. \\
+S heads and the older (pre-rubber mount) SE heads, 96-98 Buell S1 heads, 97 Buell S3 heads, 97-98 Buell M2 heads and Buell Blast heads are the same. ((aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/89229-conversion-using-used-parts-where-to-go-from-here?t=715370)) \\
-This happens for a variety of reasons. \\
+These are what we call "Lightning" heads. \\
-The valves are sunk in the heads to gain (valve to valve) and (valve to piston) clearance. \\
+cc chamber with a 10° cast in squish shelf, 1.715/1.480 valve sizes, the old low floor, squared off bowl ports like all the hemi heads etc. \\
-As well as correct valvetrain geometry, and they're heavily unshrouded to improve low lift flow. \\
+All 1200S motors came with flat tops just like every other Evolution Sportster. \\
-As in the head picture above, all these things increase chamber volume and makes the compression ratio lower. \\
-At the same time, moving up the power scale really calls for more compression, not less, as the cams you'll use bleed off more compression. \\
+The Lightning head was the first generation performance head from HD for the XL motor. \\
-You can deck the heads to drop the chamber volume somewhat, but that has limitations and bad side effects. \\
+All they did was take the Hemi head and add a bunch of material to the chamber to bring it down from 67cc to 62cc. \\
-However, the coarse adjustment for the CR needs to be the piston and head decking should only be used for fine adjustments. \\
+And they dual plugged some of them (1200S and the later SE versions). Ports and valve sizes stayed the same as the hemi head.
-Therefore, if you do your conversion with the standard dished conversion pistons, you put some constraints on future performance work. \\
+Bringing the chamber volume down like that, with no change in the piston (i.e. they stayed with flat tops), bumps the compression up. \\
-You're simply not going to be able to run as much cam or do as much head work so long as those standard conversion pistons are in your motor. \\
+(from the stock 9:1 to about 10:1. That's the sole performance gain of a Lightning head) \\
-Check with your engine builder / supplier for further assistance if you're looking for a complete performance package. \\
+The problem with those heads was the way in which they added the material. When you just add material to a chamber like that, you shroud the valves. \\ Looking at the chambers, you see a whole lot of material around the valves. That obstructs low lift flow. \\
-====== Compression Ratio ======
+====== Thunderstorm Heads ======
+Two years after the Lightning head, HD came out with the Thunderstorm head. \\
+In the Thunderstorm, they went back to 67cc , allowing them to unshroud the valves and a 15° cast in squish shelf. \\
+They paired it with a domed piston to get the compression up to 10:1. \\
+They also improved the ports and went to larger valve sizes (1.810" / 1.575"). This setup is head and shoulders better than the Lightning setup. \\
+The angled squish bands direct the fuel being squeezed out of the squish bands more directly at the flame front. ((aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/1572-questions-about-buell-upgrade?t=2206)) \\
+But the way it's done in the Thunderstorm, it's really rough. Since it's cast in, it's uneven. \\
+Typically from the factory the clearance is .050" or more, and that makes the squish band largely ineffective anyway. \\
+Thunderstorm heads are obsolete now. \\
+They could be machined nice and even, but there's a huge overhang around the perimeter. \\
+So to machine it, typically .035"-.045" had to be taken off the deck, sometimes more. \\
+Below is an example of before and after machining. This is much better with a nice even and consistent squish clearance. \\
+But cutting the deck this much has some side effects, like less valve to piston clearance. \\
+As well as potentially forcing the customer into short or adjustable pushrods. \\
+It also typically makes the chamber too small, forcing us to open it up in other areas. \\
+Also notice how there's not a whole lot of surface area. This squish band is effective up to about a .125" tall dome. \\
+Anything higher than that and the dome goes past the squish band. \\
+|  Stock Thunderstorm Heads ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/1572-questions-about-buell-upgrade?t=2206))  |  Thunderstorms as Machined ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/1572-questions-about-buell-upgrade?t=2206))  |
+|{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:thunderstom_chamber_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:thunderstorm_as_machined_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}}|
+====== Buell XB/04XL Heads ======
+As delivered, they have flat squish bands with a 62cc chamber. ((aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/1572-questions-about-buell-upgrade?t=2206)) \\
+This lets you toss them on over flat tops and have a squish band with lots of area and 10:1 compression. Not a bad way to do it. \\
+If you want to angle it, it's not a problem, you've got lots of material to work with. \\
+You can make the squish band as big or small as you want. \\
+You can make it match the piston you're using exactly, do relief cuts with the rest of the material to help overlap flow if you want. \\
+You can do all this without excessive deck milling and all the problems that come with it. \\
+The stock valves are the same sizes as the Thunderstorms, 1.810" intake and 1.575" exhaust. \\
+The springs and guides can support up to .550" lift safely, though, versus .500" for the Thunderstorms. \\
+The ports are actually a little better than the Thunderstorms. \\
+The Thunderstorms were a major step forward from the Lightning/Screaming Eagle heads, but the XB/04 XL1200 heads are even better. \\
+|  Stock Buell XB Heads  ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/1572-questions-about-buell-upgrade?t=2206))  |  Machined XB Heads ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/1572-questions-about-buell-upgrade?t=2206))  |
+|{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:buell_xb_heads_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}}|{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:buell_xb_heads_as_machined_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}}|
+====== Compression Ratio ======
 Since the beginning of the Sportster line, Harley Davidson has changed head gaskets as way of changing or adjusting compression ratio. \\
 Some were lowered for gas mileage / EPA or raised for performance. \\
@@ Line 121: / Line 177: @@
 Then you can fine tune with gasket thickness. \\
 However; \\
-<blockquote>Three tenths of a point in compression isn't really worth your time to tear it down. What's more, just the tolerance is greater than that. ((aswracing of the XLFORUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1230012)) \\
+<blockquote>Three tenths of a point in compression isn't really worth your time to tear it down. What's more, just the tolerance is greater than that. ((aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-motor-top-end/123881-bumping-stock-compression-to-10-0-1?t=1230012)) \\
 In other words it's entirely possible your motor is already 10:1 or higher and likewise it's possible it's already 9.4:1 or lower. \\
 There's variation in every one of the dimensions and volumes that determines compression ratio. \\
@@ Line 155: / Line 211: @@
 ====== Effects of Deck Height ======
+In general, deck height has nothing to do with the squish band. \\
+In the example below with a 3-9/16" bore and the chamber is about 3" in diameter. \\
+Since you have a 3" diameter chamber over a 3-9/16" diameter bore, the head deck overhangs the bore by a little over 1/4" all the way around. \\
+Notice how the piston is a flat top for a little over 1/4" around it's perimeter. That's not an accident. \\
+If you look at the drawing below, \\
+You can see that cutting more off the deck isn't going to change the clearance between the top of the piston and the head deck. \\
+To change that clearance, you've got to use a thinner head gasket, or mill the top of the cylinder so the piston sits higher in it. \\
+(or use a thinner base gasket which accomplishes the same thing) \\
+{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:stock_883_chamber_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}} ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/160330-squish-band-clearance?t=1720575)) {{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:bathtub_squish_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&400|}} ((drawing by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/160330-squish-band-clearance?t=1720575)) \\
+\\
+However, there are situations where decking the head does change the squish clearance. \\
+Look at a Thunderstorm or Lightning head with their angled shelf and massive overhang for example. \\
+In the pic below, you see it's got a cast-in squish shelf. That shelf is angled, and the heads were paired with a piston that had a matching angle. \\
+But see that big overhang around the perimeter of the chamber? \\
+If you deck this head, you reduce or remove that overhang. That most definitely changes the squish clearance. \\
+So there are situations where decking does change the squish clearance and situations where it doesn't. \\
+{{:techtalk:ref:svcproc:stock_thunderstorm_chamber_by_aswracing.jpg?direct&300|}} ((photo by aswracing of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-motor-engine/sportster-motorcycle-engine-conversions/160330-squish-band-clearance?t=1720575))  \\
 \\

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