Oil Change after cam swap
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 383
From: Arkansastan
Oil Change after cam swap
For those that do cam swaps, do you change the oil right after the first run, let it go until the next OCI, or somewhere in between? And in any case, do you look at the oil in sunlight just to inspect it? Is it fairly clear, or does it have a bit of metallic look to it?
For those that do cam swaps, do you change the oil right after the first run, let it go until the next OCI, or somewhere in between? And in any case, do you look at the oil in sunlight just to inspect it? Is it fairly clear, or does it have a bit of metallic look to it?
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 536
From: MN
@$tonecold - what do you think? I've got 5 quarts of Red Line V-twin 20W-50 in there with only a couple hundred miles on it before I did the cam swap.
That ain't cheap, but I wouldn't think a new set of cams, lifters, and pushrods would wear that much, would it? Or maybe change @ 1,000 miles like a new motor?
That ain't cheap, but I wouldn't think a new set of cams, lifters, and pushrods would wear that much, would it? Or maybe change @ 1,000 miles like a new motor?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 851
From: Puyallup, wa
@$tonecold - what do you think? I've got 5 quarts of Red Line V-twin 20W-50 in there with only a couple hundred miles on it before I did the cam swap.
That ain't cheap, but I wouldn't think a new set of cams, lifters, and pushrods would wear that much, would it? Or maybe change @ 1,000 miles like a new motor?
That ain't cheap, but I wouldn't think a new set of cams, lifters, and pushrods would wear that much, would it? Or maybe change @ 1,000 miles like a new motor?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 3,392
From: Seattle
I changed my oil 40miles after the cam change.
It should be fine after 40~50 miles to change, anything that would be shed off would be done so by then.
I did my cam change right before an interval, timed it specifically so that I'd install the cam, and then the oil change interval would come up, so all that assembly lube, and whatever shavings or whatever that would come off would be in the oil by now.
It should be fine after 40~50 miles to change, anything that would be shed off would be done so by then.
I did my cam change right before an interval, timed it specifically so that I'd install the cam, and then the oil change interval would come up, so all that assembly lube, and whatever shavings or whatever that would come off would be in the oil by now.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 536
From: MN
I changed my oil 40miles after the cam change.
It should be fine after 40~50 miles to change, anything that would be shed off would be done so by then.
I did my cam change right before an interval, timed it specifically so that I'd install the cam, and then the oil change interval would come up, so all that assembly lube, and whatever shavings or whatever that would come off would be in the oil by now.
It should be fine after 40~50 miles to change, anything that would be shed off would be done so by then.
I did my cam change right before an interval, timed it specifically so that I'd install the cam, and then the oil change interval would come up, so all that assembly lube, and whatever shavings or whatever that would come off would be in the oil by now.
So, the question is, does the factory do an initial engine break-in and drain? If not, then wouldn't their recommended 1,000 break-in be ok? If factory does do a break-in run and drain, then I'd be concerned for shorter. I'm not a cheapskate, but a quart of Red Line motorcycle oil is pushing $20 a quart since the big price inflation push. I got it for $17 a quart last year.
Not sure what the other commenter is referring to Red Line oil not being good. It is one of the best formulations on the market with heavy polyol ester blended base oil and PAO, with heavy moly for wear. We use it on Hemi engines to save their camshafts and roller lifters, since Chrysler screwed up the oiling system. https://www.zippersperformance.com/redline-20w50/
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 116
Likes: 29
From: Off the X
There really is no good reason to change the oil after a cam swap. Ride and enjoy it and change it out at the next scheduled oil change.
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Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Inland NW
This. There really is no reason, or requirement. If it makes you feel good, do it. I have many, many times, just to make myself feel better, but really, it is just fine to wait for the next interval.
@$tonecold - what do you think? I've got 5 quarts of Red Line V-twin 20W-50 in there with only a couple hundred miles on it before I did the cam swap.
That ain't cheap, but I wouldn't think a new set of cams, lifters, and pushrods would wear that much, would it? Or maybe change @ 1,000 miles like a new motor?
That ain't cheap, but I wouldn't think a new set of cams, lifters, and pushrods would wear that much, would it? Or maybe change @ 1,000 miles like a new motor?