How Many Miles Before Replacing Lifters?

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Jun 13, 2020 | 05:38 AM

2013_FLHTK

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Road Warrior

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From: Seabrook, NH

How Many Miles Before Replacing Lifters?

How Many Miles Before Replacing Lifters? I keep reading between 25,000 and 30,000 miles. I waited until 60K with the stock lifters and replaced them with a set of S&S Premium. I am now approaching 120K. Should I replace this set? Lifters still sound quiet. Am I nuts to wait this long? I am happy with the S&S lifters but is there another manufacturer I should consider? I only want made in the USA parts.

Thanks

Jun 13, 2020 | 09:19 AM

djl

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From: san antonio

If it ain't broke.................................. Let sleeping dogs lie but if you are losing sleep over this, call S&S.

Jun 13, 2020 | 05:37 PM

2013_FLHTK

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Oct 2013

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From: Seabrook, NH

Quote:

Originally Posted by djl

If it ain't broke.................................. Let sleeping dogs lie but if you are losing sleep over this, call S&S.

S&S recommends every 25 / 30 thousand. So did the indy that did the tune. It's definitely worth the $200 bucks to replace and the hour or two of my time.

Last edited by 2013_FLHTK; Jun 13, 2020 at 05:39 PM.

Jun 13, 2020 | 08:50 PM

Max Headflow

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From: poway

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2013_FLHTK

S&S recommends every 25 / 30 thousand. So did the indy that did the tune. It's definitely worth the $200 bucks to replace and the hour or two of my time.

I suspect that this number is from Evo motors. While stock 99c lifters have not been known to last, 99B or other lifters are less of an issue with mild builds. I used to own a 2002 FLHR with Crane H290 cams. It got lifters every 20K.

Jun 23, 2020 | 05:19 PM

LQQK_OUT

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From: East Coast, USA

Just got back from a week long motorcycle trip with an old friend. He rides a 1996 Electra Glide Standard (FLHT), which is an EVO. On the last day of our trip he starts to hear a loud tapping sound. I thought maybe one of his adjustable push rods loosened up. We happen to be down the road from a Harley dealer and he wanted them to take a look at it. Turns out one of the lifters failed (48,000+ miles).
I'm now a believer in replacing the lifters after a certain amount of mileage as a maintenance item.

I asked one of the mechanics at the dealership about "replacing lifters at 30,000 miles" that people seem to mention. He thought the early EVO factory service manuals mentioned it, but he wasn't sure.

Jul 23, 2020 | 11:34 AM

Max Headflow

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From: poway

You didn't say which lifters you used but in my experience, the SnS regular lifters are not as good as say Comp cams 850s. Only lasted about 10000 miles in my 02 RK. IIRC the premiums are Johnson. SnS doesn't make their own lifters. You can quiet stock HD with adjustable pushrods but setting the preload to 0.150" but I wouldn't use them as the seem to lose rollers. I got a set of Johnson from WFO Larry which I installed at about 2000 miles (after the TQ cam install). Almost 37000 now.

Jul 23, 2020 | 11:43 AM

Jackie Paper

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From: Honah Lee

You won't have to ask. They will tell you. My first set are humming right along at 50K. I have done over a dozen in frame rebuilds over the years. I always tear down the lifters and clean them since time is ni biggie to me.

First actually worn lifters I have ever seen were in my Jeep at 300,000 miles. Then, it was the little cross stamped bleed disk. (No ball in it). Since there was no wear limit on it, I did not no how to evaluate it. Bleed down appeared fine, so I think it was.

Harley's roller lifter usually break in the roller area. Usually from rev limit pingers and those racing the crotch rockets to the next red light