S&S Lifter Failed - Replace with what??
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 837
Likes: 8
From: Wyoming
Did the shop find actual small pieces/chunks of metal or very fine metal dust? Curious if they are splitting the cases to clean everything out or removing jugs to inspect the piston skirts and cylinder walls for damage? When metal went through the motor of my Sportster I was fishing it out of my cases.
I do not believe they are splitting the cases or removing the heads/cylinders. I will ask why they believe those steps are unecessary.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 2,647
From: Milwaukee, WI
As written in response to M Oclaf:
I fully intend to discuss the differences with my mechanic, but I prefer to go into that conversation with some knowledge and understanding.
No burnouts, no clutch dumping, no hooliganism whatsoever. Oil and filter have been changed regularly and in fact all three holes were changed just under 3,000 miles before this happened. Yes, I have the paperwork documenting this.
Since when is 12,500 miles high mileage? One of the reasons I replaced so many stock parts with S&S parts was to ensure something like this did not happen.
I fully intend to discuss the differences with my mechanic, but I prefer to go into that conversation with some knowledge and understanding.
No burnouts, no clutch dumping, no hooliganism whatsoever. Oil and filter have been changed regularly and in fact all three holes were changed just under 3,000 miles before this happened. Yes, I have the paperwork documenting this.
Since when is 12,500 miles high mileage? One of the reasons I replaced so many stock parts with S&S parts was to ensure something like this did not happen.
It’s sucks that it failed, but it’s still in the high performance parts category and ok, you didn’t hooligan it, but S&S nor anyone here can confirm that fact, and even if they warranty your lifters it’s a small portion of the total rebuild dollars, and while the lifter might have been the failed part, that caused the damage, there may be another factor that caused it.
This stuff is just part of the buy in when you modify engines, stone stock may be boring but it’s meant to last the longest.
edit, the only true way to is to split everything and inspect everything bearing and surface, both rod ends, crank etc.
Last edited by Paintslinger16; Aug 23, 2023 at 09:43 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 161
Likes: 92
From: Connecticut
I have a 2021 Road Glide Special. 12,500 miles after having an S&S 128" kit installed, one of S&S's lifters failed. The failure also ruined my camshaft and left metal parts in the oil pan, oil filter, and oil cooler.
I have to replace at least all four lifters and my cam. S&S denied my warranty request because it has been 16 months since the 128" kit was installed and the lifters are only warrantied for one year.
As I am replacing the lifters on my own dime, I don't want to use S&S lifters. This is both because I don't want to give S&S any more of my money, and because I no longer trust their lifters.
I'm looking a Feuling lifters and there appear to be four that fit my bike:
1. Feuling HP+ for $190
2. Feuling Race Series Short Travel for $299
3. Fueling Race Series Standard for $299
4. Feuling Race Series Oversized (in various amounts of oversizing) for $299
Which Feuling lifters do I want, and why?
Thanks for your input.
I have to replace at least all four lifters and my cam. S&S denied my warranty request because it has been 16 months since the 128" kit was installed and the lifters are only warrantied for one year.
As I am replacing the lifters on my own dime, I don't want to use S&S lifters. This is both because I don't want to give S&S any more of my money, and because I no longer trust their lifters.
I'm looking a Feuling lifters and there appear to be four that fit my bike:
1. Feuling HP+ for $190
2. Feuling Race Series Short Travel for $299
3. Fueling Race Series Standard for $299
4. Feuling Race Series Oversized (in various amounts of oversizing) for $299
Which Feuling lifters do I want, and why?
Thanks for your input.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 1,059
From: SE Washington
I've had issues with woods lifters on two separate occasions. Only reason I used them was because they came with the 'kit'. Luckily nothing was catastrophic, though the first woods lifter failure was close. Kept hearing high pitch squealing type noises, decided to investigate and found the problem just in time.
Seems like a bit of a crapshoot. I've never had any problems with S&S lifters, though I know a few people that have.
Seems like a bit of a crapshoot. I've never had any problems with S&S lifters, though I know a few people that have.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 10,734
Likes: 3,755
From: SWFL
I've had issues with woods lifters on two separate occasions. Only reason I used them was because they came with the 'kit'. Luckily nothing was catastrophic, though the first woods lifter failure was close. Kept hearing high pitch squealing type noises, decided to investigate and found the problem just in time.
Seems like a bit of a crapshoot. I've never had any problems with S&S lifters, though I know a few people that have.
Seems like a bit of a crapshoot. I've never had any problems with S&S lifters, though I know a few people that have.
I've had problems with Fueling lifters, had one stick as soon as I started the motor. They did try to blame it on me, said I didn't lube them before installing. I did soak them in an oil bath overnight, but they said I should have injected oil into the lifter. Anyway, they did make it good, but my dealings with them have not been great, so I don't do much business with them.
I've had success with CompCams V-Thunder lifters, which are just a Chevy lifter. I think if I was going to buy lifters now (and I do need a set) I would go on E-bay and get Hyline Johnson lifters. $103.92 a set is a pretty good price. WFO Larry wants $179.00 for the same thing.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12159841331....c100903.m5276
I've had success with CompCams V-Thunder lifters, which are just a Chevy lifter. I think if I was going to buy lifters now (and I do need a set) I would go on E-bay and get Hyline Johnson lifters. $103.92 a set is a pretty good price. WFO Larry wants $179.00 for the same thing.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12159841331....c100903.m5276
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 2,225
From: College Station, TX
With all due respect to Stonecold, there are lots of parts I'd consider buying from Ebay, lifters are not one of them. Too many knock off from other countries that will remain unnamed but well known. Get them from a directly from known source, ie WFoLarry. Guaranteed no knock offs. In my opinion, a failure in this area is just not worth the savings.
No offense intended. Hopefully none received.
Paul
No offense intended. Hopefully none received.
Paul
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 384
From: Arkansastan
Second Johnson Hylift from WFO Larry2313SE lifters with pin oiling.
http://www.larrysmotorcyclemachine.com/lifters.html
Paul
http://www.larrysmotorcyclemachine.com/lifters.html
Paul
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,590
Likes: 8,418
From: Inland NW
That small debris from a hardened part failures (like a cam or follower) can hide in some gnarly places, depending on how long the engine ran while shedding this metal. I speak from experience, and the unfortunate consequences
