Metal in the tappet screen
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,428
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From: NC USA
Yeah, that's a head scratcher. Stock cam, doubtful it's been into.
Do what you feel best about, I've put over 160k on plastic breather in my main bike, no issue. Changed it every 60k. Gasket and a breather is pretty cheap maintenance.
Do what you feel best about, I've put over 160k on plastic breather in my main bike, no issue. Changed it every 60k. Gasket and a breather is pretty cheap maintenance.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2020
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From: Netherlands
For future readers that might stumble upon this thread....I did some more research, with help from the workshop manual en the 'Serviceinfo' website from HD.
- This ring 25550-57A) belongs in this motor and its the only washer. There should be no shims and there are no shims available for this engine (the workplace manual even states this).
- After speaking with a local HD shop I reassembled the nosecone to measure the cam end play. It was 0.65 mm (Google:0.02559 inch).
- The max serviceable cam end play is 1.27mm (Google: 0.05 inch)
So its seems I'm fine apart from the small dent in the case.
I decided to buy the S&S reed breather valve. Not having to worry about that anymore is worth it for me.
- This ring 25550-57A) belongs in this motor and its the only washer. There should be no shims and there are no shims available for this engine (the workplace manual even states this).
- After speaking with a local HD shop I reassembled the nosecone to measure the cam end play. It was 0.65 mm (Google:0.02559 inch).
- The max serviceable cam end play is 1.27mm (Google: 0.05 inch)
So its seems I'm fine apart from the small dent in the case.
I decided to buy the S&S reed breather valve. Not having to worry about that anymore is worth it for me.
Last edited by t150vej; Jan 16, 2026 at 01:40 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC USA
Shims are available. .025 is fine. I'll reserve my opinion about the reed valves.
Never believe anything the dealership tells you. They can only go by their computer and have little, if any hands on experience. Always come here for facts. No one here will intentionally tell you anything incorrect.
Never believe anything the dealership tells you. They can only go by their computer and have little, if any hands on experience. Always come here for facts. No one here will intentionally tell you anything incorrect.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2020
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From: Netherlands
I have no doubt that everyone here tries to help, and give the best information, and I really appreciate all help since I'm a noob.
This was btw not an HD dealer that gave this information.
The Workshop manual states it, and shows it.
album aanmaken online
Part 8 is the thrust washer.
This was btw not an HD dealer that gave this information.
The Workshop manual states it, and shows it.
album aanmaken online
Part 8 is the thrust washer.
Last edited by t150vej; Jan 16, 2026 at 03:20 PM. Reason: unauthorized link
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,476
Likes: 3,860
From: Florida
[QUOTE=Fate;22198895]I have no doubt that everyone here tries to help, and give the best information, and I really appreciate all help since I'm a noob.
This was btw not an HD dealer that gave this information.
The Workshop manual states it, and shows it.
album aanmaken online
/QUOTE]
As mention you’re fine with cam end play. I’ve never seen a shovel or EVO that din’t have washer spacers to set end play. I’ve checked and shimmed every cam install I’ve ever done. I wonder if that’s just for a specific year or engine…?
I looked in my 1993 Softail manual and nowhere I could find does it ever say to check it… however It does give a camshaft end play range. So you’d have to use cam spacers to get it to the right end play. My manual doesn’t have a picture or that comment anywhere I could find.
This was btw not an HD dealer that gave this information.
The Workshop manual states it, and shows it.
album aanmaken online
/QUOTE]
As mention you’re fine with cam end play. I’ve never seen a shovel or EVO that din’t have washer spacers to set end play. I’ve checked and shimmed every cam install I’ve ever done. I wonder if that’s just for a specific year or engine…?
I looked in my 1993 Softail manual and nowhere I could find does it ever say to check it… however It does give a camshaft end play range. So you’d have to use cam spacers to get it to the right end play. My manual doesn’t have a picture or that comment anywhere I could find.
Last edited by Rains2much; Jan 16, 2026 at 05:45 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,428
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From: NC USA
[QUOTE=Rains2much;22199011]
It can be confusing. Starting 1991 and later all had a .050 longer cam The book gives .050 as sufficient end play for the longer cams.
Pre-91 and all aftermarket cams are built on the earlier pattern. Therefore, when adding an aftermarket to a late engine, you'll always need .050 and usually a bit more shim to get the end play where it needs to be.
I have no doubt that everyone here tries to help, and give the best information, and I really appreciate all help since I'm a noob.
This was btw not an HD dealer that gave this information.
The Workshop manual states it, and shows it.
/QUOTE]
As mention you’re fine with cam end play. I’ve never seen a shovel or EVO that din’t have washer spacers to set end play. I’ve checked and shimmed every cam install I’ve ever done. I wonder if that’s just for a specific year or engine…?
This was btw not an HD dealer that gave this information.
The Workshop manual states it, and shows it.
/QUOTE]
As mention you’re fine with cam end play. I’ve never seen a shovel or EVO that din’t have washer spacers to set end play. I’ve checked and shimmed every cam install I’ve ever done. I wonder if that’s just for a specific year or engine…?
Pre-91 and all aftermarket cams are built on the earlier pattern. Therefore, when adding an aftermarket to a late engine, you'll always need .050 and usually a bit more shim to get the end play where it needs to be.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2020
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From: Netherlands
My Vin says its build in 1992, model year is 1993.
I know there are some changes between the 1992 and 1993 model (don't know what though), so maybe this was a transition model of some sort?
Perhaps they found out the single washer eats into the case and put the shim back in
I know there are some changes between the 1992 and 1993 model (don't know what though), so maybe this was a transition model of some sort?
Perhaps they found out the single washer eats into the case and put the shim back in
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2,624
From: NC USA
Cases did change in '91 and '92 with the biggest changes came in 1993. The pinion shaft used a hex nut, the the nose cone had to compensate for that but the cam portion didn't change. But to my knowledge the ear washers went away in 1991 when the cams got longer.
With Harley - Davidson, every day is a transition of some sort or other
PS. The manual you downloaded is not the official factory manual so some discrepancies will pop up when you need them the least.
With Harley - Davidson, every day is a transition of some sort or other
PS. The manual you downloaded is not the official factory manual so some discrepancies will pop up when you need them the least.
Last edited by t150vej; Jan 17, 2026 at 10:53 AM.
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