Need some advice from experienced wrenches, please
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Stage III
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: SW Ohio
Need some advice from experienced wrenches, please
I have an '06 Electraglide with 25,000 miles that I am going to put in the shop this fall and have the cam chain tensioner upgrade installed on.
I started thinking that it may be a good time to maybe have some better cams installed too.
I am not much of an "engine mod" DIY'er, more of a "bolt-on" kinda guy.
Problem is, I am not too sure of what's involved here. Can I just have some bolt-in cams put in, or will I need to replace push rods, bearings, and flux capacitors?
Seriously though, I called and got a price for the chain tensioner upgrade and would like to consider a cam upgrade as well. My motor is mostly stock, except for the stage 1 a/c and SE slip-on's. I'd just like a little more torque without breaking the bank.
Open for suggestions, thanks.
I started thinking that it may be a good time to maybe have some better cams installed too.
I am not much of an "engine mod" DIY'er, more of a "bolt-on" kinda guy.
Problem is, I am not too sure of what's involved here. Can I just have some bolt-in cams put in, or will I need to replace push rods, bearings, and flux capacitors?
Seriously though, I called and got a price for the chain tensioner upgrade and would like to consider a cam upgrade as well. My motor is mostly stock, except for the stage 1 a/c and SE slip-on's. I'd just like a little more torque without breaking the bank.
Open for suggestions, thanks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,640
Likes: 6,446
From: Honah Lee
I am pretty sure your Glide came with the roller chain tensioners in 2006 that will go 100K easy. Not sure why you want want to change it. Sure it's fast enough as is in the twisties. Any upgrade is just a play on words and truly all it is is a compromise.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 328
Likes: 2
From: IBEW Local 94
You're ALWAYS going to find sh*t that'll need to be worked when you dig in deep enough. Always. I once went to replace a single wire only to end up re-wiring the whole damn bike! Once I peeled back the coating I found a g'damn splice just about every inch and a half throughout the whole system. Made me wonder how the thing ever ran like that to begin with.
So, yeah, odds are pretty good that even with a simple, straight up parts swap you're gonna be looking at more to replace than what you originally expect. Just seems that's the way it is and always will be...
So, yeah, odds are pretty good that even with a simple, straight up parts swap you're gonna be looking at more to replace than what you originally expect. Just seems that's the way it is and always will be...
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Stage III
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3
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From: SW Ohio
My bike seems to fall right in between the change over. Not sure which mine really has. I plan to call my dealer to get more info. My friend has an '05 and his first set went out at 30k. I'm just trying to be proactive.
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From: southeast PA
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I started thinking that it may be a good time to maybe have some better cams installed too.
I am not much of an "engine mod" DIY'er, more of a "bolt-on" kinda guy.
Problem is, I am not too sure of what's involved here. Can I just have some bolt-in cams put in, or will I need to replace push rods, bearings, and flux capacitors?
I am not much of an "engine mod" DIY'er, more of a "bolt-on" kinda guy.
Problem is, I am not too sure of what's involved here. Can I just have some bolt-in cams put in, or will I need to replace push rods, bearings, and flux capacitors?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Florida
It's pretty simple to remove the cam cover and look in there to see which tensioners you have. A little dental mirror will help you see the rear tensioner. You don't have to drain the oil, but put a pan underneath to catch the small amount of oil that will run out once the cover is off.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: Bellefonte PA
First off, your 06 does indeed have the old spring style tensioners. Touring models changed in 07.
Are you planning on doing the work yourself, or paying someone? If you're paying someone, the labor cost shouldn't be much different to change the cams as well as the tensioners, since it's already going to be opened up. Obviously you'll have to buy the cams for a couple hundred bucks. While it's open, it would be a good idea to upgrade the inner cam bearings to Torrinton B148s. The bearings will run about $15 for the pair. If doing the work yourself, you'll need to get the tool to remove/replace them. As far as pushrods, you can reuse the stock rods if your new cams have the same base circle as the stockers, which they most likely would. If going this route, the top end (rocker assembly) will have to be removed to remove the pushrods. This requires more labor, but saves on the cost of adjustable pushrods. Or you can cut out the stock rods, replace with adjustables and save on the rocker box labor. That's up to you. I reused my stock pushrods.
I would probably also recommend replacing lifters while you're in there. I used the V-Thunder lifters from Comp cams for $14 each, and they have worked just fine.
It really isn't hard to do. I watched the S&S video several times, read my service manual until I was absolutely sure I understood the process, I researched and asked questions here, and when I was ready I took my time and followed the directions. It was the most in depth wrenching I had done, it went smoothly enough, and I was pretty proud of myself when it was done.
And the new cams really woke up the bike.
Are you planning on doing the work yourself, or paying someone? If you're paying someone, the labor cost shouldn't be much different to change the cams as well as the tensioners, since it's already going to be opened up. Obviously you'll have to buy the cams for a couple hundred bucks. While it's open, it would be a good idea to upgrade the inner cam bearings to Torrinton B148s. The bearings will run about $15 for the pair. If doing the work yourself, you'll need to get the tool to remove/replace them. As far as pushrods, you can reuse the stock rods if your new cams have the same base circle as the stockers, which they most likely would. If going this route, the top end (rocker assembly) will have to be removed to remove the pushrods. This requires more labor, but saves on the cost of adjustable pushrods. Or you can cut out the stock rods, replace with adjustables and save on the rocker box labor. That's up to you. I reused my stock pushrods.
I would probably also recommend replacing lifters while you're in there. I used the V-Thunder lifters from Comp cams for $14 each, and they have worked just fine.
It really isn't hard to do. I watched the S&S video several times, read my service manual until I was absolutely sure I understood the process, I researched and asked questions here, and when I was ready I took my time and followed the directions. It was the most in depth wrenching I had done, it went smoothly enough, and I was pretty proud of myself when it was done.
And the new cams really woke up the bike.