When I was doing my research before my cam swap, I read that the oil pump alignment was more of a TC88 issue and even the alignment tool listings all pointed to the 88. Of course, the S&S vid and even the Fuel Moto vid make no mention of aligning the pump so I followed those and luckily had no issues. When I go with a bigger motor, I will align it then.

 

Yeah, I definately do not think this is a "slam dunk" controversy, there seems to be a lot of people on both sides. I was just pointing out the reason for doing the oil pump alignment, but I would also be interested in why someone would justify not doing it - I am all about hearing all the pros and cons, and then going with what makes sense to me.

 

Having to try to line up two separate gerotors pumps to the crankshaft land while also trying to not **** or pinch the yellow oil pump o-ring while lining up two camshafts into two Torrington bearings....... is the primary reason to remove the cam plate separately from the oil pump.

Honestly I never heard of doing it this way, but I have read recently of fragmented oil pumps.... here at HDForums as well as HTT by people who have attempted to do a cam change leaving the oil pump on the cam plate.

I haven't heard of a instant oil pump failure doing it the other way.

I do a lot of cam changes, and just cant wrap my head around why one would want to not only view the oil pump internal condition (scoring against the cam plate) but also risk misalignment with the crank, or cutting the vital oil pump o-ring.

 

Because 2 major companies in the Harley industry (S&S and FuelMoto) both do not make mention of requiring the removal of the oil pump from the cam plate. Also, these videos have been used by countless DIY cam swappers, including myself, and I had no issues with my install leaving the oilpump attached. Most of these DIY swaps are on low mileage bikes only a few years old or less. I would not expect to encounter any issues from these bikes if it was otherwise running great prior to the install.

Maybe you should call S&S and complain about their instructions?

 

Same here! Even though I have the alignment pins, I do not remove the pump for no reason. I have done several cam jobs without even touching the pump. Unless you want to check the rotors and replace o-rings, I don't see a point either.

 

This may potentially be a sprocket alignment issue a well. I know I checked my cam and crank sprocket as instructed for tolerance before putting cam chest back on to be sure I didn't need a shim. Couldn't fit a .010 feeler gauge under strait edge and called it good.

 

I did check the sprocket alignment and was within tolerance. I couldn't honestly tell you why I was unlucky enough for this to happen. I can tell you though that the first thing the HD mechanic asked me when I dropped off my bike and explained what I was experiencing was "did you re-align the oil pump" , to which I replied....sunuvabiatch, didn't know about that!

Sounds like something that although may not totally be necessary, is probably good practice to do. If I ever decide to upgrade again, I will definitely perform this extra step.