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Diving into 1999 TC88 Tensioner Replacement

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Old Nov 29, 2024 | 01:27 PM
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Was able to finally get the cam sprockets off. This bike unfortunately still has both ball bearing outer bearings. Also the exhaust lifters don’t look great… I will post pics later on today.

My problem now is the cam plate won’t budge. All bolts except for the 4 oil pump bolts are removed.
 
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Old Nov 29, 2024 | 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by garystaven88
Was able to finally get the cam sprockets off. This bike unfortunately still has both ball bearing outer bearings. Also the exhaust lifters don’t look great… I will post pics later on today.

My problem now is the cam plate won’t budge. All bolts except for the 4 oil pump bolts are removed.
The inner bearins I believe are the ones that get converted. Go to S&S and look at their kits. They have one for chain and one for gears.
 
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Old Nov 29, 2024 | 02:13 PM
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This is where I stand now. I can't get the cam plate out. All 6 bolts have been removed. Something is not right here. All videos on this I have seen the cam plate loosens right up when the bolts are removed.

The tappets have decent wear (I will post pics). The rollers roll fine.


 
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Old Nov 29, 2024 | 03:46 PM
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Ok so I got the cam plate out with *gentle* prying. I am glad I am doing this... the inner shoe developed a crack. Andrews TW50 cams. Torrington inner cam bearings already installed by whomever was in here before which is great..... but why did they keep the problematic rear outer cam ball bearing? Weird.

Also, the crank where it runs along the bushing in the oil bump is pretty grooved. Is this normal?



 

Last edited by garystaven88; Nov 29, 2024 at 03:50 PM.
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Old Nov 29, 2024 | 03:48 PM
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Here are pics of both exhaust lifters. I don't like the wear on them. Suggestions here? I am replacing them of course but why such wear?





 
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Old Nov 29, 2024 | 03:53 PM
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I know only 20k on lifters but I would replace since in there. I start to think about replacing them around 50k. Not saying I run in and do it. But I would replace all bearings, and not think about this for 50-70k miles. Breather too.
 
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Old Nov 29, 2024 | 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Rounders
I know only 20k on lifters but I would replace since in there. I start to think about replacing them around 50k. Not saying I run in and do it. But I would replace all bearings, and not think about this for 50-70k miles. Breather too.
I came into this with the intent of replacing all the lifters with the S&S Precision lifters. I'm concerned with the amount of wear on the lifters and that pinion shaft though at only 20k miles.

At this point.... I am considering going with the hydraulic cam plate upgrade and new set of cams and scratching the idea of sticking with the mechanical tensioners and Cyco pads. Probably best to mate new cams with new lifters no? If that rear outer cam bearing was already upgraded I would stick with what I have but now that I have to press the cams out to replace that.......

New hydraulic plate better tensioners, better oil pump, no more 1999 keyed gear....Gonna ponder on it.
 

Last edited by garystaven88; Nov 29, 2024 at 04:44 PM.
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Old Nov 29, 2024 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by garystaven88
I Probably best to mate new cams with new lifters no?
Some people say that. But I think people replace cams and lifters all the time, as stand alone. I know I have. As I said i think lifters should be repalced around 50kish, i am not replacing my cams.

I am no expert on wear, I am parts changer.

There are lots of people here that like to try different cams, I don't think they are replacing $250 lifters every time.

The hydraullic isx probably a good upgrade. Depends how many miles you put on too. I am not familar enough with the pads. But there an option. I went gears on one bike, and kept the hydraullic on the other even though I put a new crank in. I just spent to much money on the project to go gears. With new crank I had proper runnot and could have.

I've google pads vs retrfit hydraullic conversion.
 
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Old Nov 29, 2024 | 04:08 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by Rounders
The issue was they used ball bearins front and rear, which is what they did with gears, The ball bearings could not handle the side loading of the chains. Mid year 2000? they went to ball bearing on the rear cam. I may have the ball and roller backwards.

People will calling for a class action lawsuit.
https://www.insurancejournal.com/mag...7/23/82360.htm
It's radial load on only the rear cam bearing.. Still ball in the front.
 
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Old Nov 29, 2024 | 04:23 PM
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I meant they went to roller bearing, they were both ball in the front and rear, of the inner cam bearings. I type ball twice
 
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