I'm looking at installing the Woods new 555 cam in my 2010 FL Softail.... can I retain stock pushrods, or do I have to go to to adjustables??

Thanks

 

Bob Woods recomends se adjustables. Base circle is slightly smaller than stock. I have heard some guys running stock pushrods though.

 

Were the heads decked? What is the head gasket thickness? What is the difference in the base circle of the replaced cam and the TW555?

You have to do the math:

Heads decked = -.030"
Head gasketd delta = -.010"
Base circle delta = +.020"

The above WAGs would tell you that the correct pushrod length should be -.020", or shorter than stock; in other words the stock pushrod would be .020" too long. This would mean that the stock pushrod would sit about .120" into the lifter and leave about .080" of lifter travel and would work fine. Better for the stock pushrod to be a little too long than too short; if too short, go to adjustables.

 

Thanks..... the heads are stock.

Sounds like adjustables are the way to go. I was hoping to retain stock pushrods. Oh well.

 

Maybe not. The figures I used were rectal extractions for illustrative purposes. If heads have not been milled; that means you only have to deal with the head gasket thickness. If you are not pulling the heads, that means the only factor is the difference in cam base circles.

We know the 555 base circle is smaller but need to know how much. It is probably at least .020" smalller. Using the radius of .010", that would mean the stock pushrod length would be .010" too short.

So, you could use the stock pushrods and see if the valve train is noisy and if not; it's all good. If the valve train is noisy, you will have to buy pushrods; adjustables for $165 or +30 perfect fits for $120.

Of course, you have to find out the difference in cam base circles to do the math. If you just don't want to be bothered with the math; adjustables is the sasy answer.

 

Which would be better - perfect fits or adjustables?

I think I might go with adjustables, that way if I go to 106"/107" later I don't have to buy pushrods again.

 

We use S&S adjustables here.
With the adjustable pushrod, you can load the lifter .140-.150".
Scott

 

You can't go wrong with adjustables but displacement doesn't determine pushrod length.

 

Thanks Scott.... excuse the ignorance, but why would you want to load the lifter? and what does that mean?

 

Id like to know that myself