Cam upgrade question
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Lubbock, TX
Cam upgrade question
My 2000 Lowrider has almost 70k on the stock cams, bearings, and tensioners. I talked to my mechanic today who recommended before I head out on another long trip that I seriously consider upgrading/replacing the cam bearings and tensioners.
I have two options:
1. I can go with the gear drive cams from Andrews and then I have to purchase new cams as well. It's pretty expensive, with my mechanic doing the work it's about $1400 parts and labor.
2. I can go with the SE hydraulic tensioners and new torrington bearings. The kit comes with the high volume oil pump so that's a plus. That comes in at around $1000 parts and labor and then for another couple hundred bucks I could get some different cams as well for a total of roughly $1200.
Ok so what do you guys recommend? Right now I'm thinking I'll go with the SE kit because I don't mind the chain drive cams and with new bearings they should last for a long time. Also, are these prices in line with what's reasonable? I trust my mech, but still...a sanity check would be cool. Another concern is that I'm trying to sell/trade my bike and I don't want to dump money into something that isn't a problem. But, if it hasn't sold by the time I'm ready to hit the road, the the Dyna's gettin shoved into touring duty once again.
I have two options:
1. I can go with the gear drive cams from Andrews and then I have to purchase new cams as well. It's pretty expensive, with my mechanic doing the work it's about $1400 parts and labor.
2. I can go with the SE hydraulic tensioners and new torrington bearings. The kit comes with the high volume oil pump so that's a plus. That comes in at around $1000 parts and labor and then for another couple hundred bucks I could get some different cams as well for a total of roughly $1200.
Ok so what do you guys recommend? Right now I'm thinking I'll go with the SE kit because I don't mind the chain drive cams and with new bearings they should last for a long time. Also, are these prices in line with what's reasonable? I trust my mech, but still...a sanity check would be cool. Another concern is that I'm trying to sell/trade my bike and I don't want to dump money into something that isn't a problem. But, if it hasn't sold by the time I'm ready to hit the road, the the Dyna's gettin shoved into touring duty once again.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
I just replaced my stock cams with Andrews TW37B ... just replaced the tensioners with stock replacements ....
I got the cams for ~210, tensioners for ~140 and gasket kit for under 60 ... did the install myself ... did not replace the inner cam bearings, but that might add about 120 at most ... borrow the tools to pull and install the inner bearings ... I also pd 35 for the cam chain detensioner tool ....
I was quoted 5 hrs labor by a couple of places ... at 80 per hr, that adds 400 labor and you'd be hard pressed to find those discounted prices at a shop ....
Good luck ... your cam chain tensioner shoes are probably shot if you've never replaced them ... if you replace with stock type, you should get another 50k miles before you have to face the decision again ....
R/
'Chop
I got the cams for ~210, tensioners for ~140 and gasket kit for under 60 ... did the install myself ... did not replace the inner cam bearings, but that might add about 120 at most ... borrow the tools to pull and install the inner bearings ... I also pd 35 for the cam chain detensioner tool ....
I was quoted 5 hrs labor by a couple of places ... at 80 per hr, that adds 400 labor and you'd be hard pressed to find those discounted prices at a shop ....
Good luck ... your cam chain tensioner shoes are probably shot if you've never replaced them ... if you replace with stock type, you should get another 50k miles before you have to face the decision again ....
R/
'Chop
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 22
From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank
If youre serious about unloading the bike, consider just changing the tensioners. Dont spend money on something you're getting rid of tomorrow.
If you are going to keep it, listen to Todd (surferchop). He did his recently and found out how easy it is to do. Something to think about is you already have 70k on the motor. An Andrews 37 may be a bit much right now. A 26 or SE203 would be a more logical choice. Dont let your eyes get bigger than your stomach. Theres too many associated parts that will take an undue beating if the cam is too hot.
If you are going to keep it, listen to Todd (surferchop). He did his recently and found out how easy it is to do. Something to think about is you already have 70k on the motor. An Andrews 37 may be a bit much right now. A 26 or SE203 would be a more logical choice. Dont let your eyes get bigger than your stomach. Theres too many associated parts that will take an undue beating if the cam is too hot.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: kansas
I had hydralic cam tensioner, andrews cams ,inner bearings ,oil pump and adjustable push rods installed on mine for $185.50 for labor at topeka harley davidson. To me it was worth it, and they dynoed it while it was there for another $200
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 8
From: Aurora, IL
If your gonna sell it. Do the tensioners and get rid of it. If you end up on your trip, dont worry, you should be fine.
If you had your location in your header, maybe someone could offer help on the job, or refer you to another indy who is also reputible and inexpensive?
If you had your location in your header, maybe someone could offer help on the job, or refer you to another indy who is also reputible and inexpensive?
Last edited by redrubicon2004; Nov 6, 2010 at 07:51 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,871
Likes: 4
good advise if your going to sell it just do the tensioners that way kyou can tell the next owners you did the servious, they may not like what you did otherwise that way they can do what they want with cams ect,
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Lubbock, TX
Thanks guys for the advice and I'm going to follow it. I'll just do the tensioners and maybe the bearings while I'm in there? I'll need the tensioner tool and the cam removal tool right? I'd like to do the bearings since it's relatively cheap insurance and I don't want the next owner to inherit a disaster waiting to happen.
It also needs a new paint job but that's another story... I might do that over the winter as well. Thanks again guys, I appreciate the common sense!
It also needs a new paint job but that's another story... I might do that over the winter as well. Thanks again guys, I appreciate the common sense!
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Aurora, Wisconsin
Abigweasel, just had a indy do the no. 2, the SE, for 1150, in october, at 3000 miles, on my 1999 fxdl, cause I was worried about that year motor problem. Just was a piece of mind, and its done.
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