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Oct 15, 2022 | 09:16 PM

#11

djl

HDF Community Team

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 12,780

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From: san antonio

Quote:

Originally Posted by paud

Here is where I need some input. I can insert but not tighten the push rods to make it easier for me to see the up and down of the lifters. No sure how to figure IF I am on the compression stroke.

What I missed in the video was the tech specifying that the piston should be at TDC. Maybe I missed it but that was the point of my previous post. If you have the cam chest open, you can visually see if the lifter is on the base circle. Both spark plugs out and I use a straw to set the piston at TDC. Piston at TDC and lifters on the cam base circle and adjust both from there. If the cam chest is not open, you will have to get comfortable using the lifter position or approach it like Since 1968 does to insure the lifters are on the base circle. I adjust push rods with the cam chest open after a cam install; I like to see the lifter on the cam base circle.

Oct 17, 2022 | 09:04 AM

#12

Fat11Lo

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 2,019

Likes: 599

From: Columbus, OH

When the intake lifter stops moving down you are on compression stroke for that cylinder, not necessary to be exactly top dead center, but far enough into the compression stroke that both valves are closed

Oct 17, 2022 | 09:18 AM

#13

jbarr1

Road Master

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 1,238

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From: georgia

Guess I’m an oddball when it comes to adjusting valves. I never look at TDC. When the exhaust valve just starts to open, adjust that cylinders intake. When the intake valve just closes, adjust that cylinders exhaust. I know, it takes more engine turning. It’s just the way I do it and it hasn’t failed me for 40 plus years.
There’s than one way to skin a cat!

Oct 17, 2022 | 01:58 PM

#14

paud

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 1,132

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From: Las Vegas

so, I found a nice animated video of harley engine. It helped.
I went back to the bike and rolled the engine over using the rear wheel. I watched the front two lifters. As I turned the back wheel, I looked for the exhaust lifter to come up, meaning exhaust stroke. As I continued to turn the back wheel, I watched the exhaust lifter come down and as it got almost to the bottom travel, the intake valve moved up. This mean the piston was coming down getting ready to go to the bottom of the stroke, and head back up for the compression stroke. I then moved to the otherside of the bike to feel the air rushing out of the spark plug hole-( yes, both plugs were removed) As I moved the rear wheel, I also used a big zip tie to place in the spark plug hole to determine the top height of the piston on the compression stroke. Therefore TDC, compression stroke.
Hahahah, I know that sounds like a lot, but....

Oct 17, 2022 | 07:36 PM

#15

MotoJockey

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 4,685

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From: Near Yosemite

Hey......... ya gotta do what ya gotta do for things to make sense to you......... I know I do!

Oct 19, 2022 | 06:09 AM

#16

jake24lt

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2017

Posts: 2,690

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From: Massachusetts

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbarr1

I am the same, and as long as the valve you are adjusting, is on the base circle of the cam, it makes no difference.

Oct 20, 2022 | 04:04 AM

#17

Phil13

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2018

Posts: 1,197

Likes: 1,852

From: England

Allow me to close the stable door now the horse has bolted, but the timing marks you used for the cam change, that are on the cam and crankshaft sprockets, when they meet, cam mark at 6 o'clock, crank mark 12 o'clock, the rear pot is at TDC, or as damn near as it needs to be. if you then rotate the motor so that the crank timing mark is again on 12 o' clock and the cam timing mark is also on 12 o' clock, the front pot will then be at TDC.

Moral of the story, save straws for drinking and put the cam cover on last