Cam swap tech question

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Feb 13, 2011 | 07:40 AM

omgtkk

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 803

Likes: 3

From: Collegeville, PA

Cam swap tech question

I'm just about ready to start the cam swap on my FXR. I've read the article on Nite-rider and the chapter in the 101 Harley Performance Projects book. One question though:

Do I need to rotate the engine to any particular position before I cut out the pushrods? Nite-rider doesn't address this at all, and the book says to rotate the engine until all of the pushrods rotate freely and THEN remove the pushrod tube retaining clips. Makes no sense to me.

It would seem that I would want to rotate the engine to the point that the marks on the cam and pinion align before removing the cam.

Any tips would be appreciated

For reference, I am putting in an Andrew EV13 with Screamin Eagle quick install pushrods. I have a new inner bearing and an assortment of cam shims available. As the bike is a '99 and only had 8000 miles on it I plan on reusing the stock lifters. I'm still debating if I'm going to use the Andrews gear or swap the gear from my stock cam.

Thanks in advance.

Feb 13, 2011 | 08:20 AM

piperbob

Road Captain

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 506

Likes: 29

From: Putnam County, N.Y.

Change out the lifters while you got it apart.

Bob
97 Heritage

Feb 13, 2011 | 08:25 AM

V-Twins & Bowties

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 507

From: Florida

You want to cut the pushrods out with the valve springs unloaded. They're unloaded when you can spin them. Once they are out you can rotate the engine and not hurt anything. Pull the plugs makes it easier. Then when you remove the cover you can align all the timing marks according to the directions.

Pushrod covers can be removed at any time but I'd get them out of the way right off the bat.

Last edited by V-Twins & Bowties; Feb 13, 2011 at 08:29 AM.

Feb 13, 2011 | 09:26 AM

sqdealgeorge

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,854

Likes: 20

From: Eagle River WI

your bike should have the torrington cam bearing the outside cage should read torrington The torrington has all rollers HD runs their cam end play too loose (my opinion ) I set the cam end play at .010 to .015 (check this with lifter block out cam cover on ) You might want to replace the HD lifters with the new HD B lifter set Before you adjust the pushrods pump up the lifters (spark plugs out push rods out bike in neutral spin the engine over (starter button) till you see the oil coming thru the lifter holes ) install pushrods one at a time ( cam at the lowest point ) adjust per pushrod instructions After all adjusted get the rear wheel off the ground 5th gear and rotate the engine over till say the rear exhaust push rod is all the way down (low point of cam ) drink a beer (only one ) now grab the pushrod and see if at turns tightly in your fingers procede to the next pushrod and do the same If you can't handle 3 beers drink the NA stuff I think I need a beer !