Hydraulic Lifter Tappets?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 163
From: Northern VA
Hydraulic Lifter Tappets?
While I'm doing the EV27 cam installation, I plan to replace the hydraulic lifter tappets while I'm in there, along with tappet blocks and inner cam bearing. Also quick install pushrods (probably go with Screamin Eagle). The engine is mostly stock...
Should I upgrade to Screamin Eagle Tappets or go with an aftermarket brand? Are there any aftermarket brands to avoid? Recommendations welcome.
Should I upgrade to Screamin Eagle Tappets or go with an aftermarket brand? Are there any aftermarket brands to avoid? Recommendations welcome.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
Most guys consider the regular Harley "B" lifters to be pretty good, I think it is 18523-86B
Price: $32.33 TAPPET LIFTER at Zanotti
http://shop.zanottimotor.com/search/node/18523-86B
Price: $32.33 TAPPET LIFTER at Zanotti
http://shop.zanottimotor.com/search/node/18523-86B
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Most guys consider the regular Harley "B" lifters to be pretty good, I think it is 18523-86B
Price: $32.33 TAPPET LIFTER at Zanotti
http://shop.zanottimotor.com/search/node/18523-86B
Price: $32.33 TAPPET LIFTER at Zanotti
http://shop.zanottimotor.com/search/node/18523-86B
In case you're interested... I run Velva-Touch lifters in Bertha, which have their own story and are fairly expensive - but no more so for the complete kit than JIMS lifters and blocks. They come in a kit with their own custom lifter blocks (chrome or black), chromoly adjustable pushrods, chrome pushrod covers, and a complete set of O-rings. They used to be manufactured by CompCams (V-Thunder), but there were some quality issues, and they are now made by a new company named B-M-O Products, that is part-owned by Vern Ott, who owns the original patent for them.
They are rather exotic and probably unnecessary for anything but a very high-performance engine - but they do perform very well. They run with very tight tolerances of .0002", whereas standard H-D lifters run .001", up to a .003" service limit. My experience with the V-T lifters is that they are very quiet in use. I can barely hear them, even with my ear very close to them. The V-T lifters, combined with the V-Thunder EVL-3010 cam I run, make for a very quiet cam chest indeed... even their chromoly pushrods don't seem to make any more sound than stock aluminum rods. Pretty much all I hear is the Ness Big Sucker sucking in air! And the open fishtails...
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 163
From: Northern VA
PaJoe, thanks for the part number on the B lifters.
Sqdeal, I'm changing out the oem lifter blocks for chrome ones. Dressing it up a bit.
NGHawg, thanks for the tip on Velva-touch.
Last edited by Plow64; Nov 6, 2010 at 07:47 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
$32.33 (each) at Zanotti was the best price for the 18523-86B lifters I found, some wanted almost $50.00 each. Zanotti isn't the easiest web site to order from but they are usually pretty good and pretty fast.
http://shop.zanottimotor.com/search/node/18523-86B
http://shop.zanottimotor.com/search/node/18523-86B
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,447
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From: Northern VA
Street Performer Tappets? Junk or OK?
Anyone heard anything about these "street performer" tappets?
http://www.hdmaddog.com/Harley-David...-p3676423.html
http://www.hdmaddog.com/Harley-David...-p3676423.html
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,486
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From: Union,Ms
You'll also want to purchase a set of lifter block alignment studs also.You can get by with one but I think two do a better job.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
Anyone heard anything about these "street performer" tappets?
http://www.hdmaddog.com/Harley-David...-p3676423.html
http://www.hdmaddog.com/Harley-David...-p3676423.html
I read about 5 different posts on harleytechtalk.org concerning Maddog lifter quality by individuals that purchased them and 4 of the comments were very negative, only one said they were a worth while investment.
on edit: I would try Ultima lifters before using Maddog.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 163
From: Northern VA
Thanks Pajoe, I went with the 18523-86B lifters and SE Quick Install pushrods (17987-98A).
MikeT, good advice on the lifter block alignment studs. Ebay is selling them cheap.
MikeT, good advice on the lifter block alignment studs. Ebay is selling them cheap.