when to replace lifters
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 275
Likes: 1
From: Jax, FL
Why? He's running an '07 with the new tensioners. He may want to take a peek at the to see how much wear is on them, but most of the '07's and up have not had a problem with tensioner wear.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Don't worry about them. The lifters in your bike are the same lifters as a SB Chevy runs. Those motors run waaayy longer than 50k miles before falling apart.
As pointed out above, a "new and improved" '07 shouldn't have any cam chest issues in 50k miles.
As pointed out above, a "new and improved" '07 shouldn't have any cam chest issues in 50k miles.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 6
From:
I was reading in one of the magazines that lifters were recommended to be replaced at about 25 k miles. This sounded strange so I have been searching around. The service departments of course wouldn’t say that was so, the bike has a warranty! The mechanics in the repair business suggest only repairing what is too noisy. The shops that do performance work suggest cams, chain, bearings, lifters and quick adj rods, all in some fashion of stages, depth of pocket being the only thing to slow you down here.
Ok so here is my scenario. This is a 96 inch in a 2009 with 24 k miles on it. Starting from about 3 k miles, the motor started making lifter noise at start up that would go away in about 5 min of warm up. The lifter noise has all but gone away now and is only there for a very short period of time. The noise has never gotten any louder.
So my question as I read on searching for the end of the Internet, is there any opinion for options on these noisy lifters and usable life cycle of the stock lifters?
Regards!
Ok so here is my scenario. This is a 96 inch in a 2009 with 24 k miles on it. Starting from about 3 k miles, the motor started making lifter noise at start up that would go away in about 5 min of warm up. The lifter noise has all but gone away now and is only there for a very short period of time. The noise has never gotten any louder.
So my question as I read on searching for the end of the Internet, is there any opinion for options on these noisy lifters and usable life cycle of the stock lifters?
Regards!
Last edited by bshapiro; Jan 31, 2010 at 05:41 PM. Reason: spell check!
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
If changing cams, the lifters are cheap insurance to change. Not expensive at all and not labor intensive either (as long as the cams are out).
If no motor works is being done, no need in taking it apart just for lifters.
The odds are, they will be fine.
But if one does fail, it can be catastrophic (thus the cheap insurance while swapping cams).
If no motor works is being done, no need in taking it apart just for lifters.
The odds are, they will be fine.
But if one does fail, it can be catastrophic (thus the cheap insurance while swapping cams).
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
Be careful...There was a good article by an hd mechanic person on here that said not to let them go beyond 30 k miles since the needle bearings can fall out and go down into your engine and toast it well done...I have seen another article by another famous mechanic who writes tech stuff for american iron and he said the same thing...30 k miles then change them or take a risk...mine are at 37k so I am changing them this winter...they are a little noisy too...08 rocker, 96". Much cheaper than a new motor...Less than 500 bucks total including quality after market lifters/parts...supposedly, the after market ones have bigger keepers so the needle bearings can't go down into your motor if they fail...now this plan does create a problem...I should change out the cams and cam shoes while I am in there...??? Ride safe.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,913
Likes: 2,542
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 12
From: Haymarket, VA
Donnie Peterson of AI mag says unless they're getting real noisy and/or you're doing a cam change, put in new ones, otherwise don't worry about 'em, they're good for a 100K. I trust his opinion on stuff more than ANY HD mechanic.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
Somebody must have dug deep for this one from '09, but here's my 2 cents. My '93 didn't make it past 50k on the original lifters. I asked the service guy at the dealer about them before it blew the rollers out of it. Then it went bang. So my advice would be, if you have it open or apart, lifters are cheaper then re-doing the motor.,,
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Like stated above. I trust Donny Peterson's opinion. The lifters are and were a problem on some Evo's. Naturally, I changed lifters in my twin cam when I got rid of that chain crap. I expect a 100,000 miles or till overhaul, or top end. Whichever comes first on her. On my Evo. She will be getting new lifters this year and adjustable pushrods at 30,000 plus miles. I am not really worried about her but will do it because I don't trust stock lifters in that model year. The key to her lifter life and the reason I am not worried is because I change oil often, frequently, and use good oil. Besides cleaning that often forgotten screen in the oil passage going to the lifters plus using good oil filters. Twin cams don't have that screen so don't panic newby's.