New Here With Question
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Stage II
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2
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From: Morristown, TN
New Here With Question
Hi All! My boyfriend and I just recently received a 1974 Sportster
XLCH 1000 in which we are having to do a lot of work to. Can anyone here tell me how to time the cams? We had to remove the cam cover to do some cleaning and of course polish the chrome and we are unclear on how to time the cams now. Any help will be appreciated and I am sure I will have more questions as we get more involved 
Thanks in advance,
Kim
I ordered a service manual today per the advice of a member on this site but as slow as my local HD shop is, it may take a while....lol
XLCH 1000 in which we are having to do a lot of work to. Can anyone here tell me how to time the cams? We had to remove the cam cover to do some cleaning and of course polish the chrome and we are unclear on how to time the cams now. Any help will be appreciated and I am sure I will have more questions as we get more involved Thanks in advance,
Kim
I ordered a service manual today per the advice of a member on this site but as slow as my local HD shop is, it may take a while....lol
Each cam gear has one or two ' marks on it; the pinion gear also. It is "simply" a matter of lining up the pairs of marks.
Start with the pinion gear mark at about 11:00 o'clock; install the #2 cam so it lines up; then install the #1 cam so it lines up. You have to temporarily pull out the #2 and hold it in place while you install the #1. A bit tedious, may require a couple of tries.
Then go on the the #3 and #4; similar procedure. Install the big generator idler gear last - it has no marks so orientation does not matter. If the idler has a fiber washer on it, the washer faces out.
You need these two essential manuals; they are your most important tools ...
Parts Catalog 99451-78B
Service Manual 99484-78
BTW, newbies often remove the cam cover without first removing the pushrods. This is a big error. The bushings in the cover are soft brass; the cam shafts are hard steel. Probably OK but be aware of this.
When re-installing the cover it must go on exactly straight. I use 2 or 3 studs [3" bolts with heads hack sawed off] inserted a couple of threads into the case holes to ensure that it goes on straight.
Start with the pinion gear mark at about 11:00 o'clock; install the #2 cam so it lines up; then install the #1 cam so it lines up. You have to temporarily pull out the #2 and hold it in place while you install the #1. A bit tedious, may require a couple of tries.
Then go on the the #3 and #4; similar procedure. Install the big generator idler gear last - it has no marks so orientation does not matter. If the idler has a fiber washer on it, the washer faces out.
You need these two essential manuals; they are your most important tools ...
Parts Catalog 99451-78B
Service Manual 99484-78
BTW, newbies often remove the cam cover without first removing the pushrods. This is a big error. The bushings in the cover are soft brass; the cam shafts are hard steel. Probably OK but be aware of this.
When re-installing the cover it must go on exactly straight. I use 2 or 3 studs [3" bolts with heads hack sawed off] inserted a couple of threads into the case holes to ensure that it goes on straight.
Last edited by IronMick; Jan 25, 2010 at 01:29 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 864
From: Sheboygan, WI
Glad to see you ordered the factory manual instead of the clymer manual suggested in the other post you made. The factory manual has a lot more detail. When that shows up, just line up the marks like IronMick said, and you'll be in business. Good luck with your project
BTW, you do this by removing the spark plugs and shifting to 4th gear, then rotating the rear wheel.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Hi All! My boyfriend and I just recently received a 1974 Sportster XLCH 1000 in which we are having to do a lot of work to. Can anyone here tell me how to time the cams? We had to remove the cam cover to do some cleaning and of course polish the chrome and we are unclear on how to time the cams now. Any help will be appreciated and I am sure I will have more questions as we get more involved
Thanks in advance,
Kim
I ordered a service manual today per the advice of a member on this site but as slow as my local HD shop is, it may take a while....lol
XLCH 1000 in which we are having to do a lot of work to. Can anyone here tell me how to time the cams? We had to remove the cam cover to do some cleaning and of course polish the chrome and we are unclear on how to time the cams now. Any help will be appreciated and I am sure I will have more questions as we get more involved Thanks in advance,
Kim
I ordered a service manual today per the advice of a member on this site but as slow as my local HD shop is, it may take a while....lol
Additionally, you will need the procedure for adjusting the pushrod clearance.
This is outlined and explained in the manual but if you need that info sooner let me know and I can provide.
Adjusting the pushrod clearance.... It is very important that it be done correctly. Don't overlook this, or the result will be hard starting and possibly burned valves.
pg
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