"B" lifters for EVO
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,422
Likes: 2,621
From: NC USA
"B" lifters for EVO
A lot of guys (self included) give out info that is common knowledge to us but for some, it may be confusing or even misleading. I've seen many mention "B" lifters as the recommended OEM replacement for failed or worn originals.
Here's the deal - any lifter you buy from a HD dealer for an Evo will be a "B" lifter. You do not have a choice. "B" is simply the part number suffix. With any part, the suffix letter may denote a change in the manufacturing supplier, materials of the part, design of the part, or to simply identify new manufactured parts from old stock (which is one of "Corporate Americas" way of denying returns for credit).
If you walk into a dealer and ask for a "B" lifter for an Evo you could get any number of facial expressions from the parts guy... and I don't know what changed because I've taken many apart and can see no difference, but they do hold up better
The part number for the OEM replacement Evo lifter is 18523-86B
Here's the deal - any lifter you buy from a HD dealer for an Evo will be a "B" lifter. You do not have a choice. "B" is simply the part number suffix. With any part, the suffix letter may denote a change in the manufacturing supplier, materials of the part, design of the part, or to simply identify new manufactured parts from old stock (which is one of "Corporate Americas" way of denying returns for credit).
If you walk into a dealer and ask for a "B" lifter for an Evo you could get any number of facial expressions from the parts guy... and I don't know what changed because I've taken many apart and can see no difference, but they do hold up better
The part number for the OEM replacement Evo lifter is 18523-86B
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 17
From:
Do you recommend the B lifters over good quality aftermarket lifters? Seems like many say to use the B's but to change them every 25,000 miles or so. Frankly, I wouldn't bother using a lifter that you had to change that often. In fact, I see no reason why a quality lifter wouldn't last longer than the engine itself.
I switched to Crane lifters a few years ago, after a second HD lifter failed, and have 50K on them so far.
I switched to Crane lifters a few years ago, after a second HD lifter failed, and have 50K on them so far.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 1
Do you recommend the B lifters over good quality aftermarket lifters? Seems like many say to use the B's but to change them every 25,000 miles or so. Frankly, I wouldn't bother using a lifter that you had to change that often. In fact, I see no reason why a quality lifter wouldn't last longer than the engine itself.
I switched to Crane lifters a few years ago, after a second HD lifter failed, and have 50K on them so far.
I switched to Crane lifters a few years ago, after a second HD lifter failed, and have 50K on them so far.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,174
Likes: 12,745
From: South Carolina
I don`t think that you can tell if they are B lifters from that view, I have a set of B lifters that look just like the A lifters from that view, but they have the larger axles.
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Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: deland,florida
nothing wrong with either lifter,if you replace the rollers with GOOD quality rollers,they`ll last forever.(or just go with S&S or jims)
kirby
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Cape Breton NS
I didn't take that pic and the explanation given with it was...the B lifter on the left has a thicker lifter body and a retaining ring holding the plunger assembly in instead of the wire type clip as seen on the right on the A lifter.