S&S Motor with spun cam bearing.
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 93
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From: Indiana
S&S Motor with spun cam bearing.
Guys I just got a phone call from a buddy that wants to sell an S&S 96" motor he tore out of a Saxton chopper with 8k on the motor. He doesn't know anything about it except it has a spun cam bearing. As Ive not ever dealt with this and don't want to spend as much rebuilding it as just buying a new one. Just wondering what I should be concerned about or looking for when/if I go look at it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
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From: Oxford, Nc
If the bearing came apart, you get to disassemble the cases to get the loose bearing pieces out. Check out the oil pump and see if anything got in there too. If the bearing also damaged the right side case, you get to fix or replace that case half if necessary. At 8000 miles I wouldn't think you'd need to rebuild anything else yet.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,425
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From: Texas
I am new to Harleys, but I did change the cam bearing in mine last week, but I have built a lot of inline 4s, normally when a bearing spins, it ruins the case so that you are not able to put a standard bearing back in. There may be a fix for that on Harleys, but I would check that out before buying it, because you may have to replace the case.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
I've never seen a cam bearing "spin", I have seen them come apart and once a guy rode part way back from Sturgis and wore through the race into the case!!! You should be able to get away with a new cam bearing and whatever other parts were damaged by the metal contamination. The damage would depend in a large part on how long the engine was run after the cam bearing failed. Hope this helps.
John
John
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 20
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From: New Jersey
the 117ci s&s evo motor that i have uses a needle roller bearing in the case and the cam cover is a bronze metal bearing... Why did it fail? you need to inspect the rest of that motor before you buy it. did the oil pump fail? is the alignment of the cam cover to case off? aftermarket cam that didnt fit correctly or was just poorly made?
if the case is not damaged, you are familiar with engine repairs, and you have the time i would say go for it if the price is right.
if the case is not damaged, you are familiar with engine repairs, and you have the time i would say go for it if the price is right.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
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From: la la land jerzey
the 117ci s&s evo motor that i have uses a needle roller bearing in the case and the cam cover is a bronze metal bearing... Why did it fail? you need to inspect the rest of that motor before you buy it. did the oil pump fail? is the alignment of the cam cover to case off? aftermarket cam that didnt fit correctly or was just poorly made?
if the case is not damaged, you are familiar with engine repairs, and you have the time i would say go for it if the price is right.
if the case is not damaged, you are familiar with engine repairs, and you have the time i would say go for it if the price is right.
the incorrect pinion gear and or incorrect cam gear could be at fault - but i have seen after market blocks that were machined wrong and not only spun the cam bearings , but i have seen sprocket shaft bearing race holders come loose and shake around behind the stator. so i would tell you to pass on that motor -- 1000 bucks you could part it out on e bay and get your money back but not if you dont have your own shop would i buy that - johnjzjz
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Joined: Dec 2007
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We do not not charge that much for that here.
Hell, we don't charge that much for a Timken bearing insert repair..........with the bearings.
Scott
Hell, we don't charge that much for a Timken bearing insert repair..........with the bearings.
Scott
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
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From: la la land jerzey
well my shop rate 150 / 200 an hour for machine work - you being 250 miles from the City i am sure your customer base is under 100.000 a year - and the rents we pay you could buy 3 or 4 buildings with in UP state NY
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