Kind of a dumb question...

I'm in the middle of a cam change (my first time doing this) on my 97 Fatboy.

I've got the rocker arm covers off, rocker arms out, pushrods and pushrod covers out.

I've got a new bearing, new lifters and a new cam...and a service manual.

I've read up on this quite a bit, but I still don't know what order to go in from this point forward. Do I replace the lifters before the bearing and cam? Or after?

 

If you have the lifter blocks off (which you should) then you replace in this order
1) Cam bearing
2) Cam
3) Lifters

 

Thanks for the help.

I don't have them off or the old lifters out yet. Stopped after removing the pushrods to consult the manual again. I didn't want to move forward until I knew what I was doing.

So, from the manual, it looks like I remove the lifters and guides together.

Then I'll take the old cam out, swap the cam bearing, install the new cam, and install the new lifters. Is that the right order?

 

Almost.
You put the lifters into the lifter blocks then install the blocks and lifters at the same time.

Make sure you use plenty of assembly lube on all the parts and you will need something to hold the lifters in the blocks until you get the blocks seated.

Don't forget to check cam endplay before installing the rear lifter block.

 

Great, thanks so much.

I've got assembly lube and clips. Trying to take my time and do this right...

Forgot until today i was supposed to soak the new lifters in oil, so I've got them soaking now. Which means I probably can't put them in until tomorrow anyway.

 

yup !!! that will be the correct order ....but if you had a couple of these magnets ...(will hold the lifters up ) you could swap the cam w/o having to pull the lifter blocks and lifters !!
maybe next time !!!
i know a twin cam is shown ...but works on the evo motor too ....

 

I usually soak mine for at least 20 minutes.
I haven't had a problem yet.

 

Like Texas mentioned, don't forget to check end play...using old gear or a new cam gear?

 

Ah, okay. I'd read about people soaking them overnight and thought maybe I needed to leave them in longer.

 

You can if you want but it isn't necessary.

Just put them in oil with the hole in the barrel facing up and it will bleed itself fairly quickly.