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Cam tensioners - I think they don't need replacing yet
Engine Mechanical TopicsDiscussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.
I have a 2002 FXDWG3 CVO with 34,000 miles on it and am pretty sure there are still spring cam chain tensioners on it. I bought it from my brother and he doesn't know if they have been checked or upgraded because he was the 2nd owner. He also just rode it and is not mechanically inclined. After reading about hydraulic and gear upgrades I don't know which upgrade is best for me. I can tell you this, I am afraid to open the cam chest to even look at this point. First Harley I ever owned but motorcycles are not new to me. This is very discouraging to know this problem with Harley Big twins. I love my bike and want to take care of it but funds are low after I purchased it. Should I just park it and wax it and not ride it anymore ??Help!
no no no. ride it. you do not need to go gear drive or hydo tensioners. one thing is gear drive is twice as much for cams. and your crank has to be .003 or less run out. like i said in your other post, use cryo tensioner shoes. there cheap too. and if you know anything about polishing raw steal, polish the outside of the chain like a mirror. a ton let friction and drag. Thats just my opinion
Thanks, so just change the inner and outer shoes to the upgraded type and monitor them. I know you need the tool for the inner. Polish the chains outside. So you don't recommend the SE hydraulic upgrade kit. Is it hard to change the inner shoe? does the whole spring need removed?
thats all im going to do is upgrade the shoes. one of two things to do. you will have to remove the cams. one, cut the pushrods and put in adjustable ones, or two remove the rockers and pull the pushrods out. its more of a pain in the ***, but cheaper. i also dont know if you will have to remove the gas tank (which isnt that big of a deal). it is a big job to do it but if you have time, its actually easy and inexpensive if you remove the rockers. once you put in the cyros, i would inspect once a year, depending on how many miles you put on.
there is a tool that you can remove the tensioner with the cams in place. i havent used it. usually its a good time to up grade the cams at that point.
Thanks for the info and your opinion because I know I can do it myself instead of paying the dealer $800-900. I watched the youtube videos and the main thing is to have the correct tools like if you wanted to change cam bearings, the tool that locks the spockets ect. and the harley tools are not cheap unless you make your own. I would rather do it myself.
Thanks for the info and your opinion because I know I can do it myself instead of paying the dealer $800-900. I watched the youtube videos and the main thing is to have the correct tools like if you wanted to change cam bearings, the tool that locks the spockets ect. and the harley tools are not cheap unless you make your own. I would rather do it myself.
Go back and read #27; everything you need to know to DIY the project is there; you don't need HD tools, just need to do some homework. You will need the service manual for you bike. Hetkehog keeps referring to the upgraded tensioners as "cyro" but they are CYCO. You can buy the tensioner pads and the install tool on Ebay for about $30 unless the price has gone up since I last checked. Changing the inner cam bearings to the Torrington B148s would be a good idea while you are in the cam chest.
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What should I do? What would you do?
Help!
