Hello, I have a 73 flh with 13,000 miles pretty much all original that I inherited from my grandfather.
Hoping Somebody might point me in the right direction. My pushrod tappet block starting pooling oil around the pushrods so I went out and got some new cork replacement seals the old ones were probably original.
Started removing the pushrods and got the first exhaust pushrod out no problem and got it back in, second one was the intake right behind the first one and cannot get enough clearance to pull it past the lifters cup to get it out. I have hydraulic lifters and I am attempting this with the pushrod at its lowest point and the other intake at its highest point in travel. I'm thinking maybe my hydraulic lifters aren't compressing to allow the extra room to remove the pushrod? Am I going to have to remove the tappet Block?
Any advice on this would be awsome and much appreciated! Nice weather is hopefully on its way.....

 

I had the same problem getting one of my pushrods out of my shovelhead, but it didn't seem like I needed that much more to get it out. I got a pair of needlenose pliers, grabbed the bottom of the pushrod, used the top of the tappet block as a fulcrum and gently pried it out.

 

yea that's my next step, I was just hoping there was another possible trick or something I may be missing?
Only need maybe a 1/8 inch to get it out if that, wIll give that a try. Thx for the reply.
Will let you know if it works.

 

same issue with my rear exhaust... had to remove the head...

 

Stock pushrods the front exhaust is longer than the other 3 make sure you get them in the right holes and like others have said the old needle nose pliers trick works wonders.

For the install just pull the insert out of the lifter, use a paper clip to shove up in the little tube sticking out the bottom and push on the cup on the spring to blow out any oil in the lifter and reinstall it you should be able to pop the pushrods right back in and this will make adjusting easier and less breed down time .

 

Twizted, are you sure the pushrods aren't the same size on a 73 FLH?

 

If they are stock, that is.

 

Wow that is a fine looking FLH there.

For my 84 FLH it is the rear intake that is a buggar to remove. If needed I do it as described above.

 

That sure is a great looking bike. My rear intake was the one I had problems with too. It was easy with the pliers.

 

My 72 wasn't