Hi all. I have been looking at building a new motor from cases and I have seen that I can build up a 916 engine from 748 cases. Budget is a key component for me on this build and the price difference between 748 and 916 crankcases are quite significant. I have also found a 748R case for reasonable money. My question is this - can I build up from either of 748 cases with 916 crank, pistons and barrels or do I need to machine the cases in some way. They look the same but Im just trying to confirm it before I hit the "buy it now" button on some. Thanks, Alan
I'm going to be doing the same thing soon. I have a 748 (2002) and have a set of pistons, cylinders and crank/rods from a 916 (2002 Monster S4). I believe everything will work except you need to do some research with the generators. Early generators and cases won't work with later 3-phase cranks and vice versa. Other than that I think the 748 and 916 engines are identical except for the crank and pistons and maybe the heads. I'm going to be using my 748 heads and throttles etc. I believe the 916s had slightly expanded combustion chambers which makes sense with the extra displacement and there is some clever ideas with opening up the heads around the inlet valves. It's almost plug and play. If you're already starting with a 916 I don't think you need to worry about anything else. Just check the age of the cases to match what you have
The 916 cases have a larger cut out that allows room for the con rods that rotate on a bigger diameter than the 748 given the longer stroke so I'm not sure it's that simple to just reuse 748 cases. I have a set of 748RS cases that I can measure so you can compare them with 916 cases if that would help. Andy
Have to disagree Andy, as far as I'm aware other than the generator and associated cases, the 916 and 748 are the same cases, the 996 has different stud spacings and bigger opening for the barrels. 748/916 single phase should be interchangeable or 748/916 three phase should be interchangeable. Steve
OK. Just to let you know whats going on in my magical little world. I have a Ducati S4 that I purchased as a project. This was my first visit to the world of Ducati. Looking at what I have and some of the S4 oddities (the ST4 5 spoke wheels and the different swingarm mount to a 916) I am considering just stripping down what I have and buying a 916 or 748 frame. This may sound extreme but the cost of the parts that I will be needing to finish the S4 far outweigh its final value. This being the case I think I would prefer to sell the frame on and build something else. So, I do not have an engine at all at the moment. I have searched eBay etc and yes, there are engines but I don't know the history. I would rather go with a fresh build from new cases. I know that this is probably not the cheapest way but if I buy an engine for 7-800 pound and it breaks it would have been cheaper to do a build from scratch. Plus, I like building engines So. That's my story so far. I am essentially 1 quarter the way through what could be a long build and in honesty, the idea of spending so long to build something that looks like a monster with a radiator is a concern. The 916/748/996 bikes are, let's face it, beautiful looking bikes. Due to some health issues, I cannot ride very often (or particularly far) so I've nearly convinced myself to start again with the bike I wanted in the first place. Hopefully, I haven't rambled too much here but I just wanted to explain what I am doing and why I am doing it. Thanks all. Alan
If the 748/916 style bikes are what you really want,then best go for it!Dont forget that we will want lots of piccies of the build.
Well... its a head, heart and wallet battle. I think Im going to keep going with the S4. Im sure I will accumulate things along the way for another build afterwards. I am sure if I take my time everything I need will come up reasonably priced. Most of it is Monster based with a few exceptions. Ive been looking at part numbers and seeing where I can get the bits I need. Unfortunately the 748/916 cases are different to the S4 as the swing-arm mount is different from the SBK to the ST4/S4. If I use the SBK cases the easiest option is the single sided swing-arm. Apparently that shortens the wheelbase too much. Looks like building something different could turn into a machining extravaganza.
I used s4 frame 1098 engine with 999 black swingarm. By adding swingarm pivot bosses to the frame you can fit the 916 999 1098 style sbk engines with any sbk swingarm. You will need to alter the rocker pivot on the frame to suit
Sorry for the confusion folks. I have an s4 and was looking at building a fresh 916 engine for it. My question was a roundabout way of asking if I could build from 748 cases. Since making the original post I discovered that if I was to use sbk cases I would only be able to use a single sided swing arm. So. Unless I use a 916 case from an s4 or st4 I would have to change swing arm or get the case modified. I think I was thinking out loud and it all got a bit messy. Thanks, Alan
I believe 748 and 916 cases to be compatible especially as 916 cylinders can be fitted to a 748 to make the revered 855 (special pistons required however as 916 pistons sit too low due to the shorter stroke of the 748). 916 SP/SPS cases have a larger opening in the case to accept the larger bore 96mm cylinders required for 955cc as used in WSBK. AFAIK all 916 are single phase alternator (even though the owners manual for the '98 says it has a 3 phase) with the 3 phase being introduced for the 996 and post '98 748, although knowing how they used what they'd got I wouldn't be surprised to see a few '99 748 with the single phase alternator...
Well. Today I decided to stop faffing about and I have purchased a 996 bottom end. This should make things a lot easier and I'll strip it down, change bearings and measure everything to make sure it as is intended. I know that may seem like a completely different route to what I was initially planning but I was pondering on everything on this discussion and realised that I needed to get something sorted so I could at least have a rolling chassis. Thanks all for the input and advice. I must admit that I wanted to fit a 1098 but my budget dictated that this was just a dream
