everyone says the Vulcan 3.0 motor was/is a good motor. What makes it so much better in terms of reliability then the 2.3 or 4.0?

i have a 1994 3.0 with 163,000 and the motor is pretty quiet.

how long can i expect this motor to last without and major problems and are there any things i can do to the motor besides changing oil to prolong its chances of living long?????

 

If, for the sake of discussion, one were to claim that the 3.0L OHV is more reliable than the 4.0L OHV, then IMO it would have to be because over the years the 4.0L has been somewhat more prone to (1) failed intake gaskets and (2) cracked heads, than the Vulcan has been.

On the other hand, though, the 4.0L Cologne doesn't have nearly the reputation for failed camshaft sensors & synchronizers that the Vulcan does. The 3.0L synchro shaft failures are even known to occasionally cause the oil pump drive shaft to stop spinning, cutting off oil flow and seizing the motor.

 

Yeah, it's not one thing really. It's just that a properly cared for 3.0 seems to have "longevity".

Also, it's something we 3.0 owners tell ourselves to make us feel better...

 

This doesn't answer your question, but it is an intersting read for the vulcan aficionados.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_engine

 

ya

its fairly reliable. i beat on mine and it lives like an unwanted grandmother

 

Here's another good article describing the Vulcan, btw:

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/eb90450.htm