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99 Ultra TC88 engine oil pressure too high

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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 07:08 AM
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Default 99 Ultra TC88 engine oil pressure too high

Did cam tensioners coule weeks ago and test rode Tuesday. At recomendation of dealer i installed a Zipper’s Twin Cam Oil Bypass Shim. Prior to work oil pressure would usually hover at 5-10 at hot idle and run 30-35 at highway speed. After installing the shim holy crap! Pressure at cold idle hit 55 psi and stayed there until it warmed up. i now have 30 at idle and 50-55 at highway speed. This is what the dash gage is showing. I am going to put a wet gage on it tonight and see what it really is, but is there a problem with running with pressures this high in a TC? I'd be worried of blowing a seal or oil passage plug out someplace. Engine has 55K on it with SE 204 cams and new chains and tensioners.
 
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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 11:40 AM
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I wouldn't worry so much about blowing seals, etc. but high oil pressure in the ranges you mentioned can lead to aeration of the oil which can contribute to valve train noise. Air entrained oil gets into the lifter and the lifter bleeds down. No harm done but the additional noise might be annoying. Not saying that this will occur, just saying that the potential is there. The H-D vtwin was not designed for high oil pressures and, for that reason, there is no real benefit; IMHO stock pressures are adequate.
 
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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by inthechateau
Did cam tensioners coule weeks ago and test rode Tuesday. At recomendation of dealer i installed a Zipper’s Twin Cam Oil Bypass Shim. Prior to work oil pressure would usually hover at 5-10 at hot idle and run 30-35 at highway speed. After installing the shim holy crap! Pressure at cold idle hit 55 psi and stayed there until it warmed up. i now have 30 at idle and 50-55 at highway speed. This is what the dash gage is showing. I am going to put a wet gage on it tonight and see what it really is, but is there a problem with running with pressures this high in a TC? I'd be worried of blowing a seal or oil passage plug out someplace. Engine has 55K on it with SE 204 cams and new chains and tensioners.
You'll be fine.
Don't worry. Ride.
Scott
 
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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 09:41 PM
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OK, so I finally get home and put a wet gage on the oil pressure switch port, start the bike and it goes straight to 65psi at cold idle, rev it a little and oil pressure peaks at 85psi. Way too much for me to be comfortable. No way that kind of pressure should be made inside this engine. So, I'm pulling the exhaust and cam side cover off tomorrow night and throwing that @$%#$%&#$@ zippers performance spring/spacer as far as i can toss it. $6.95 of nothing but trouble. Ordering a new baisley spring now.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2011 | 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by inthechateau
Ordering a new baisley spring now.
There are two springs; LMR-002 and LMR-004; you want the LMR-002. The 004 will put you right back in the soup.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2011 | 09:27 PM
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Default Baisley 15% spring ordered today

Got the Baisley performance LMR02 sdpring on order, should be here Tuesday. Good thing I love working on my own machine. No one else to blame for anything. It has been a trying experience and I have learned a lot about the TC88 cam and oil system. ant to get all of the kinks out of her before I start experimenting with the with the power Commander.
 
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Old May 9, 2011 | 10:14 PM
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ARG, thought i'd never get to work on the bike. My oldest son graduation college this weekend and had to go out of town to be there. Put the Baisley spring in tonight and tossed the zipper spacer. fired up with 32psi Idle and about 45 and 2500 rpm. right where I want to be. thanks everyone for you $.02 worth. Seems I did learn a lot doing my own cams. To have lots of patience.........See you on the road.
 
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Old May 10, 2011 | 05:21 AM
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Strange.
We buy 'em by the bag.
We've installed at least 75-100 of those over the years, never an issue.
Scott
 
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Old May 10, 2011 | 08:07 AM
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I don't know what was with the plug, but my oil pressure was way too high. With the Baisley it dropped right in to where it needed to be. 32 idle and 45 at speed.
 
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