Cam Fit
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 5
From: Dublin, Ireland.
Cam Fit
Hi
Just received my EV27 to fit to my 1986 FLST and was reading the fitting instructions on the Andrews web-site. www.andrewsproducts.com/PDF_files/CamEV80.pdf
One question.
They say:
"To make sure that your new camshaft drive gear will operate quietly, the cam gear to pinion backlash must be correctly set up. Proper backlash is .0000/.0005 for a cold engine. Andrews Products recommends that BOTH the new gear and the original gear be measured as described on the last page of these instructions. If both gears measure within .0005" of the same size, it should NOT be necessary to change gears. If a different size gear is required, Andrews Products has them. Excess backlash will cause gear noise which sounds like loose lifters but will not hurt anything. Insufficient backlash will cause a distinct gear whine and should be corrected since gear tooth damage will result over a short time period."
This I understand.
To measure they say to use .108" pins in opposite teeth and measure both gears. Surely if I measure both old and new cam gear with any size pins, or just from top to bottom tooth and the measurement is within the recommended tolerences, the new gear will be ok?
Am I correct in this assumption, or am I missing something?
Thanks,
Tony.
Just received my EV27 to fit to my 1986 FLST and was reading the fitting instructions on the Andrews web-site. www.andrewsproducts.com/PDF_files/CamEV80.pdf
One question.
They say:
"To make sure that your new camshaft drive gear will operate quietly, the cam gear to pinion backlash must be correctly set up. Proper backlash is .0000/.0005 for a cold engine. Andrews Products recommends that BOTH the new gear and the original gear be measured as described on the last page of these instructions. If both gears measure within .0005" of the same size, it should NOT be necessary to change gears. If a different size gear is required, Andrews Products has them. Excess backlash will cause gear noise which sounds like loose lifters but will not hurt anything. Insufficient backlash will cause a distinct gear whine and should be corrected since gear tooth damage will result over a short time period."
This I understand.
To measure they say to use .108" pins in opposite teeth and measure both gears. Surely if I measure both old and new cam gear with any size pins, or just from top to bottom tooth and the measurement is within the recommended tolerences, the new gear will be ok?
Am I correct in this assumption, or am I missing something?
Thanks,
Tony.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Hi
Just received my EV27 to fit to my 1986 FLST and was reading the fitting instructions on the Andrews web-site. www.andrewsproducts.com/PDF_files/CamEV80.pdf
One question.
They say:
"To make sure that your new camshaft drive gear will operate quietly, the cam gear to pinion backlash must be correctly set up. Proper backlash is .0000/.0005 for a cold engine. Andrews Products recommends that BOTH the new gear and the original gear be measured as described on the last page of these instructions. If both gears measure within .0005" of the same size, it should NOT be necessary to change gears. If a different size gear is required, Andrews Products has them. Excess backlash will cause gear noise which sounds like loose lifters but will not hurt anything. Insufficient backlash will cause a distinct gear whine and should be corrected since gear tooth damage will result over a short time period."
This I understand.
To measure they say to use .108" pins in opposite teeth and measure both gears. Surely if I measure both old and new cam gear with any size pins, or just from top to bottom tooth and the measurement is within the recommended tolerences, the new gear will be ok?
Am I correct in this assumption, or am I missing something?
Thanks,
Tony.
Just received my EV27 to fit to my 1986 FLST and was reading the fitting instructions on the Andrews web-site. www.andrewsproducts.com/PDF_files/CamEV80.pdf
One question.
They say:
"To make sure that your new camshaft drive gear will operate quietly, the cam gear to pinion backlash must be correctly set up. Proper backlash is .0000/.0005 for a cold engine. Andrews Products recommends that BOTH the new gear and the original gear be measured as described on the last page of these instructions. If both gears measure within .0005" of the same size, it should NOT be necessary to change gears. If a different size gear is required, Andrews Products has them. Excess backlash will cause gear noise which sounds like loose lifters but will not hurt anything. Insufficient backlash will cause a distinct gear whine and should be corrected since gear tooth damage will result over a short time period."
This I understand.
To measure they say to use .108" pins in opposite teeth and measure both gears. Surely if I measure both old and new cam gear with any size pins, or just from top to bottom tooth and the measurement is within the recommended tolerences, the new gear will be ok?
Am I correct in this assumption, or am I missing something?
Thanks,
Tony.
Use the .108" measuring pins for an accurate measurement. That's what they're for!
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 178
Likes: 11
From: Billings, MT
if you were to use a smaller dia. pin, they would effectively fit further into the "v" of the gear, giving a smaller measurement. likewise a larger dia. pin would fit farther out in the "v", giving a larger measurement. you have to use the same pins as they use 
to get an accurate measure.
to get an accurate measure.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 506
Likes: 29
From: Putnam County, N.Y.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 2
From: Hallsville, Tx.
I used the pins and measured with a digital caliper. You really need to use a micrometer. When I checked mine it looked very close (with the caliper). I installed the cam but found that I had the high pitched whine that indicated a "too tight" gear fit. I ended up pulling the cam and switching to the stock cam gear. I would recommend just using the stock cam gear to save extra work and aggravation.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
thanks 'piperbob'.... i get all my tools from George's ....wonder why i hadn't noticed them, before
also, can you get just the cam gear from the dealership instead of using one that came out of a beast with 30k on it?
also, can you get just the cam gear from the dealership instead of using one that came out of a beast with 30k on it?
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 2
You CAN get that gear from the dealer. If you know what size yours is they'll sell you one, I'm not sure it'd be worth doing if all you do is measure your gear to determine the size and then order a replacement...
Inspect the one you have and if it's perfect with no chips or wear patterns on the teeth, it should be good for many more trouble free miles. Assuming regular oil changes and it fit right in the first place there just isn't much to go wrong there...
Inspect the one you have and if it's perfect with no chips or wear patterns on the teeth, it should be good for many more trouble free miles. Assuming regular oil changes and it fit right in the first place there just isn't much to go wrong there...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
makes sense, woodnbow.... i tore apart the top end to replace pistons, headwork, and honing... oil was in bad shape.... a lot of moisture had gotten into this thing so i'm just anticipating what's below might not be in such great shape...we'll see, though