After reading and studying this forum and other forum posts (with my thanks to the posters) about installing gear driven cams I decided to do my 2001 FLHTCUI with 30K miles. I completed the job without using any special tools. I did buy harbor freight (HF)3-JAW PILOT BEARING PULLER to pull the inner cam bearings; I slightly modified it to fit behind the inner cam bearings (cut about 3/16-1/4 inch off puller tips). Cut the pushrods out with bolt cutters. I used channel locks/pliers and a drill bit to to pin back the tensioners; the tensioners were worn about a 1/8th inch deep on each one; I think they would have lasted another 20-30k miles. Put transmission in 5th gear and applied the rear brake to remove bolts from crank and cam shaft sprockets. I used a heat gun to heat cam support plate and the bearings/cams came right out; I did have to apply a little pressure to the roller bearing to get it out. I used the harbor freight (HF)3-JAW PILOT BEARING PULLER to pull the inner cam bearings. The heat gun and dry ice was used to install bearings/cams; I used one of the old chain drive cams and a rubber mallet to install/tap-in the inner cam bearings. My crank journal run-out was about 0.0025 TIR. I did not check the inner bearing backlash but the cams rotated freely. I used an undersize pinion gear and checked outer gear backlash and it was about 0.0005-0.001. Installed SE adjustable pushrod kit per the instructions; it took about 25 minutes after adjusting a lifter for it to bleed down. The bike started right up; I let it run about 5-10 minutes; no noticeable gear noise or leaks. When the snow and ice melts here in Oklahoma I will go for a test ride. Oh, I installed S&S 510G cams. I think I have put my cam chain tensioner worry to bed. Will be ready to hit the open road when warmer weather comes.

 

Congrats.

 

Let us know the results!!

 

Congrats! I'm starting my first rebuild with upgraded parts. I bought some special tools just to make life easier but you handled it well. Let us know how it rides.

 

Cool, good job.
I have a box full of parts waiting to do the same. I'm going to swap out my S&S 510G's for a set of HQ-0039G's. I hope mine goes as smooth as yours did. I've been alittle busy snowplowing up here in IOWA this past week. I might get to the cams next week, will see.

 

Condrats!!! I am ordering acomplete cams kit tomorrow. Already heve the pushrods. I also bought the lifters to be installed. Was advised to do so.7 to 10 days to arrive. Then will need to wait about a week to have the job done. Idon't think I can do it myself.Besides it will be faster to get it done. That way I can ride the same day. Is there a break-in period for cams like for pistons?

 

I don't know if you need to break-in new cams.

 

Good job! Glad to hear that it went well. The only break in would be for the gears to settle into each other. I just bought a set of 95" jugs and pistons - going to do the top end before riding season starts - that should compliment the 26G I installed a couple of weeks ago.

 

Ted I also have the 26G cam. I had a shop install it , just got it back yesterday. I do have a little gear whine in mine , and have been seeing mixed post on this issue. I was wondering , how do yours sound? Thanks in advance.

 

Yes, there is some whine - I figure that a bit of break-in with good Red Line Synthetic might quiet it - but, it really isn't all that bad. The difference in torque makes me forget it - LOL. Now, it's time to install the bigger jugs - that's the easy part compared to the cams, and THEY were actually pretty easy.