Cam Replacement Question
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 92
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From: Knoxville, TN
Cam Replacement Question
I'm planning on swapping my stock cams for S&S 510's and I know there will probably be a lot of yelling angry responses over this but I was wondering how much better the replacement bearings are over stock (seeing's how I can't afford a press, removal and installation tool) I was thinking of keeping the stockers. My bike has 15,000 miles on it, don't know if that makes a difference. Just wondering thanks in advance.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 36
From: Montana
I would not use the stock cam bearings they are not made for the aftermarket performance cams. the 510 is a good cam but you will need to do the bearings or you might have a bearing failure down the road. Then you are looking at some big expense.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 17
From: Southeastern Wisconsin
The inner bearings are easy to replace. Rent/borrow a blind hole puller from autozone to reinstall, freeze, lube and tap in the new bearings with the old cam. As far as your cam plate you need a press to remove and reinstall the new cams. For a small fee my dealer pressed my cams and new bearings into the plate when I redid my 02 Dyna. When I did cams in my 05 Ultra I went with the new cam plate and conversion cams, no pressing required on the plate but same puller for the inner bearings.
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 92
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From: Knoxville, TN
Oh I didn't even think to have the dealer press them, good call. I wasn't sure if the bearings were the same as stock that's why I was gonna leave them, not to half *** anything just wasn't sure. Definitely call my dealer and autozone in the morn thanks for the input guys.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 204
Likes: 1
From: Denver
You have to understand that the new cams have higher lift and longer duration. That's much harder on the bearings. The new bearings have smaller rollers closer together. That means more surface area contact from the cam to the bearing. More surface area means less PSI thus less wear. Always replace the bearings with the upgraded bearing when installing new cams.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 43
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From: Crestview FL
Edit** just switched to the full site rom mobile and saw it's an 02. You could always put a feeler out to rent them from a forum member.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 52
From: Ottawa Canada
I have an 02 and my front inner cam bearing went on me, repair bill 5k for a cheap bearing, I went with the SE bearing and new style tensioner kit.
don't cheap out on a bearing
don't cheap out on a bearing
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