Marty:
Sifton Cobra cam can be run hydros or solids. Mild .440 lift so not too big/aggressive a cam mild ramps to close valve softly.
Runs good sounds good shovelhead sound.
Out of the 8 used original Harley hydro inserts I have 5 that are good and that leaves one spare.
Thinking of watching for more good uses ones as they turn up time to time on ebay.
The other 3 inserts I am going to try an acetone soak without mixing them up.
Have you tried the Japan made by Daytona the ones everyone sells at $49 apiece or seen the expensive $100 S and S Cycle inserts?
Staying away from V Twin parts in my motor.
Right now a guy on ebay is asking $180 plus shipping for original HD inserts said his dad bought a case of them from Harley back in the day. Tempting but do not need any at the moment. Shovel runs good starts ez warm or cold. Leaving well enough alone.
Best 2 you ride safe. Dave and thanks for shovelhead tips you post.

Racepress:
Hope you are doing well and want you to know you, Twisted and John Jz, all have a lot of shovelhead experience that you post to help others like me.
I bought a 1980 FLH and it came with solid conversion and Sifton 112 Cobra cam.
I removed solid conversion slugs and put good use original HD hydraulic inserts in. Bike is running good and sounds good. S and S wants a fortune for their inserts which I believe used to be made by Crane Cams back in the day.
Not sure if you know who originally made those for AMF and Harley when the started using them.
I am aware of the Japan made inserts that most everybody sells. If it were you would you stay with the good use Harley oem ones that pass the inspection test in the Shop Manual clean them up and run them like I am doing. I don't beat on the bike and it is a hoot to ride.
Hope you can reply I know you may still be working in an indy shop so do not want to bother anyone.
Thanks, Dave

Bike shifts great,but 2nd and third sounds like hell