Hey guys im having trouble with a few things.

I traded a 1996 virago 750 for a 1988 sportster XL 883 bored to 1200 this fall for my winter project. i have worked on many biked but this is my first HD.

the project came almost running. i was told the lifters were replaced. the push rods are new and the tubes are new. The top end was just rebuilt and bored (my bore scope has confirmed).

My issues.

the new adjustable push rods brand and thread per inch were unknown so i pulled the rocker box on the from cylinder tonight to get a better look at the rods. no markings but i counted the threads in 1/4" and got 8. 8 x 4 = 32 so i know with a hydraulic lifter i would take it to TDC and go 24 flats past zero lash. now my issue is i believe this engine has solid lifters. i suspect this because i can not push the rod down and feel any spring from the lifter. the old lifters that came with the bike have some give when i push where the rod sits.

Am i right to suspect these are solid lifters?

if they are how many flats would i go from zero lash?

now i have another problem. I can not get the keepers on the push rod tubes for the life of me. They are seating properly top and bottom. they appear to be S&S push rod tubes. I think the last guy to work on this bike got the wrong ones. what are the chances of that? or am i doing it wrong. it seems pretty easy on youtube. mine just seem like they were made for a taller cylinder.

Haroo

 

its an 1988 not 1984

 

Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF. I can't help much, except to say I have never come across solid lifters. If you don't have one get yourself the correct factory service manual for your bike, which will give you the procedure for setting them right, plus all manner of other useful info.

 

An '88 will have hydraulic lifters. Solid lifters went out with the Ironhead engine.

They might just have oil in them. You need to tighten them to zero lash, then let it sit to bleed down, and repeat. Eventually they'll be fully bled down.

 

ok ill try that. thanks.

I have a clymer manual
haroo

 

Went to TDC on back piston. confirmed the lifters are at their lowest point on cam. adjusted to zero lash. went out 24 flats and they didnt bleed down over night. i still
think it may have solid lifter conversion. any thoughts on this?

Haroo

 

just backed them out and tried again and it looks like the intake bled down the exause is yet to bleed after 10 min. going to wait longer