Shovelhead Lifters
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: PA
Shovelhead Lifters
I just bought a 1980 FXE. Apparently motor was rebuilt 8k miles ago. Just been reading up on the basics of a Shovelhead. And I was seeing if there is anyway to distinguish if the lifters are still hydraulic or were they converted to solid. I just want to do the proper adjustment.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 1,006
the lifters should have been solids. i converted my 74fx to hyd.
one way to tell is run the engine and stop it and open up the p/r tube and set valve fully raised and wait. the spring pressure will collapse the hyd and when you run the valve down, you will have slack. if the p/r were changed to non adjustable, you have your answer also.
one way to tell is run the engine and stop it and open up the p/r tube and set valve fully raised and wait. the spring pressure will collapse the hyd and when you run the valve down, you will have slack. if the p/r were changed to non adjustable, you have your answer also.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,325
Likes: 2,115
From: Masshole
Both my 78 and 80 Shovels came with hydraulics. Switched them out to solids when I did the cam in them.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 425
Likes: 261
From: Mid-Mo.
Page 9 1971-1984 Harley FX parts book. Part# 17920-53A Hyd Lifter. 1971-1984 FX All models. No mention of solids.
Last edited by kink04fxd; Jul 15, 2020 at 03:20 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 1,006
yep hd worked on putting in hyd lifters from ww2 times and the pan had them. i def had # 18570-38 and # 18556-57 screw and jam nut in my 1974 fxe. hd had a rep for not throwing anything away so parts could transcend several years. maybe it was a camming thing or model thing. parts fiche for that year def shows them, check out st. charles hd fiche. when i re-geared the tranny and changed cams, i went hyd, chryslers to be exact, from the hd shop. they were old school, used reservoir instead of flow through.