Something's always bothered me about my solid lifter setup on my '75 Superglide. Underneath the lifter cup is a spring, which I understand not all adapter kits have. It supposedly helps take up any slack in a pushrod that's come loose. All it does for me is make it hard to know where my proper adjustment is at.

S&S calls for setting the pushrod at zero lash with the motor at TDC on the compression stroke. Problem is, the pushrod reaches the point of not able to be spun before the cup touches the lifter. For example, once I reach the point where I can no longer spin the rod, which is where I would usually back off and find the sweet spot, I can still push the lifter cup up and down a little bit on the spring.

I find it hard to believe that I'm just supposed to rely on that springy grey area to keep my valve train in line. Like doesn't that defeat the purpose of a solid lifter? Not really solid, or hydraulic, with none of the benefits of either?

I've heard of people chucking those internal springs but I'm nervous to do that without solid feedback that it's fine. Better yet would love to hear any adjusting tips on these to make them perform right.

 

I don't run those springs on mine and didin't on my other two solid lifter Harleys.

 

It was a sales gimmick - they were more expensive to buy back then - we throw the spring away

over 50 years of doing this in the shop

all the covers open rotate the engine till one of the intakes is at full lift — adjust the other intake just at the point of a loose turn ( no up or down movement ) .- then do the same thing to the adjusted intake at full lift adjust the other

then do the exhaust. The same way - does it matter what one you do first — start at any valve just follow with the other valve next

many of the guys do it this way now

 

What's the thinking on doing it this way instead of by tdc mark? I adjusted the way you described last time. When I went to my local indy to get new gaskets I mentioned this and he looked at me like I just doomed my motor, and said to ALWAYS go by tdc.

I like the method you describe, since I can physically see the lifter at its peak, just curious why some people are so against it. Just old thinking? Thanks.

 

Its the way it was showed to me when i was a kid knowing nothing and have owned a shop almost for ever - Must have adjusted 10,000 machines that way since the 60s - my shop owns 3 USA national championships road racing Harley’s / Buells - cant show a picture the ninnies whine when i do

racing will teach you things the guys selling t shirts will never learn - and dont believe because they have never done anything