FRESHINING UP MY EVO-advice?
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 8
From: Twin Cities,Mn.
FRESHINING UP MY EVO-advice?
I am going to be tearing into my 96 wideglide in a couple of weeks with a mechanic friend of mine. I have never tore into a motor before,but the thought of that stock cam bearing failing has been on my mind.
I have thought about a new cam and lifters,considered the woods6 cam,as well as an Andrews EV27.
I dont know how far I really want to go-the thing runs great(22,000 miles)stock...just a little slow.
My friend is a pretty good mechanic in general with very limited experience with Harleys-he has installed one cam and fixed a harley tranny. He says as long as we have a book it should be fine.I fear if I start messin' with the motor too much I might end up with an opened can'o'worms.New cam means timing,etc. Any thoughts? Should I just keep it simple and put a stock cam and lifters back in?
I have thought about a new cam and lifters,considered the woods6 cam,as well as an Andrews EV27.
I dont know how far I really want to go-the thing runs great(22,000 miles)stock...just a little slow.
My friend is a pretty good mechanic in general with very limited experience with Harleys-he has installed one cam and fixed a harley tranny. He says as long as we have a book it should be fine.I fear if I start messin' with the motor too much I might end up with an opened can'o'worms.New cam means timing,etc. Any thoughts? Should I just keep it simple and put a stock cam and lifters back in?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,421
Likes: 2,621
From: NC USA
Either cam will greatly improve performance and timing is simply a matter of using a timing light. Pulling the cam bearing will require a blind hole bushing/bearing puller. Timing requires a special clear plug inserted in the hole on the left side center - just beneath the cylinders. Only tricky part is matching the pinion gear to the cam gear. The pitch of the teeth on either is denoted by a paint mark. Andrews doesn't mark theirs, not sure about Woods. If the cam you buy doesn't match, you'll have to change the pinion gear also (special socket and common puller) and you can't choose when you order. Matching requires a micrometer graduated .0001 and special round pins - size .108
Some people press the old gear off the cam and nad re-use it. I never do - can't remember if the Andrews is keyed or not....
But DO get a manual and don't waste money on an off-brand. Get a genuine HD factory manual, maybe off ebay or they're still available from a dealer. You'll be glad you did.
Some people press the old gear off the cam and nad re-use it. I never do - can't remember if the Andrews is keyed or not....
But DO get a manual and don't waste money on an off-brand. Get a genuine HD factory manual, maybe off ebay or they're still available from a dealer. You'll be glad you did.
Last edited by t150vej; Dec 12, 2008 at 03:00 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
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From:
I would definitely go with an aftemarket cam. The stocker's oddball EPA timing really limits the engine's breathing. If you're not really dissatisfied with the stock performance, you might want to go with the EV13 instead of the 27. I have the EV13 on my '92. You don't really notice any great performance improvement unless you really open the throttle. It will surprise you if you're not ready for it. One other place I noticed the increase in power was when making a right angle turn out in the country, where some gravel has been kicked up on the pavement. If you're not careful you can fishtail much more readily when you're leaned over on that gravel. The 13 doesn't seem to affect my fuel mileage at all, as long as I'm not getting on it all the time. In fact, I think there was a slight improvement over stock, and oil temps are a little cooler. It's also not any noisier than stock, whereas the 27 has faster ramps, making for a little more valvetrain noise. But a lot of people do love the EV27.
Evo lifters are a known weak point. Supposedly the later ones were better, but I don't really know. Mine had one lifter fail at 50,000 miles and one at 100,000, both times scoring a cam lobe so the cam had to be replaced. I use Crane lifters now, even thought they're ridiculously pricey.
Another tip is to press your new camshaft into your old cam gear, so it will run as quietly as before. I'd also use easy-install pushrods so you don't have to tear everything off above the heads to get the stock one-piece pushrods out. Just snip them with bolt cutters.
Oh, and like you mentioned, be sure to use the Torrington full complement inner cam bearing (B138).
Evo lifters are a known weak point. Supposedly the later ones were better, but I don't really know. Mine had one lifter fail at 50,000 miles and one at 100,000, both times scoring a cam lobe so the cam had to be replaced. I use Crane lifters now, even thought they're ridiculously pricey.
Another tip is to press your new camshaft into your old cam gear, so it will run as quietly as before. I'd also use easy-install pushrods so you don't have to tear everything off above the heads to get the stock one-piece pushrods out. Just snip them with bolt cutters.
Oh, and like you mentioned, be sure to use the Torrington full complement inner cam bearing (B138).
Last edited by mp; Dec 12, 2008 at 11:37 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 550
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From: Twin Cities,Mn.
I would probably press on the old gear. How about the S&S reed vavlve as long as I am in there? Ever use it? My bike consumes around a quart every 1500 miles and I was thinking this might help. I do have blow-by.I was also thinking I really should do a compression test. I am hoping to avoid spending the extra to do the top end....looks like unemployment is right around the corner!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,421
Likes: 2,621
From: NC USA
I would probably press on the old gear. How about the S&S reed vavlve as long as I am in there? Ever use it? My bike consumes around a quart every 1500 miles and I was thinking this might help. I do have blow-by.I was also thinking I really should do a compression test. I am hoping to avoid spending the extra to do the top end....looks like unemployment is right around the corner!
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6
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I also went with a EV13 cam. We cliped the solid push rods out and went with adjustable . This was done at 64 or 67000 miles.(I dont have my book here) The stock cam's "skin' was comming off and the lifters were loud.
So all and all I replaced , lifters, cam, pushrods, cam bearing, (breather part ?) .It has well over 100,000 miles on it and runs great.
This on a 86 FXWG.
Kilgore
So all and all I replaced , lifters, cam, pushrods, cam bearing, (breather part ?) .It has well over 100,000 miles on it and runs great.
This on a 86 FXWG.
Kilgore
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 2
From: Cave Creek, AZ
Did mine make over earlier this year, and went with the EV27, screaming eagle ajustable pushrods and then went with Jims hydralic lifters. We also used the Revtech DFO with the 4 pods for adjustments. It really woke the engine up and gave me 81 torgue in the dyno.
Next time I'll do the heads, folks here say if your already there then you might as well really wake her.
Have a good time.
Next time I'll do the heads, folks here say if your already there then you might as well really wake her.
Have a good time.
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: OC California
I put in an Andrews EV 27 and it makes a huge difference.
I was lucky and didn't need pistons and only had to put in new rings.
Good luck
Mike
I was lucky and didn't need pistons and only had to put in new rings.
Good luck
Mike
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