Alignment tools

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 28, 2025 | 11:56 AM

chizzler

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2025

Posts: 190

Likes: 81

From: Long Island, New York

Alignment tools

I know they make oil pump and tappet block alignment tools but I think maybe they're for later engines? I'm pretty sure I'm going to be blocking the oil ports in the tappet blocks for the S&S solid lifter conversion and I don't see anything in the manual about needing one for the oil pump, what do you guys say? The only thing I could think of is maybe needing one for the tappet blocks to make sure the rollers track straight on the cam, but not sure if there's anything I might be missing. Thanks.

Dec 28, 2025 | 06:54 PM

misfitJason

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 6,849

Likes: 1,389

From: Florida

The lifter block and oil pump alignment tools work. However they are for lifter block alignment on pre-Twincam. They align the oil pump on Twincam motors and rocker boxes

Last edited by misfitJason; Dec 28, 2025 at 06:55 PM.

Dec 28, 2025 | 08:31 PM

chizzler

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2025

Posts: 190

Likes: 81

From: Long Island, New York

So I don't need to align the oil pump on the shovel but I should use it for the lifter blocks? I'm trying get away without buying any more tools if I can.

Dec 29, 2025 | 03:09 PM

TwiZted Biker

Club Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 66,114

Likes: 51,398

From: Niles Canyon Ca.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chizzler

So I don't need to align the oil pump on the shovel but I should use it for the lifter blocks? I'm trying get away without buying any more tools if I can.

All the lifter block tool is a tall taped bolt, early blocks were self aligned with countersunk screws, you can use one of those on the later blocks to do the same as the fancy tool. Frankly there’s so little play in the lifter blocks outside dialing in a ***** out track engine they align damned true without getting fussy.

Oil pump the top two studs do the aligning needed, just take a bit of care torquing the cover properly and using the correct gaskets for the pump.

Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Dec 29, 2025 at 03:13 PM.

Dec 29, 2025 | 08:15 PM

chizzler

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2025

Posts: 190

Likes: 81

From: Long Island, New York

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker

Thanks for the reply. The book says to align them within .0005" of the scribed lines. I can only make out vague lines for the front tappet block and that measurement is ridiculous. How the hell would you even measure that? Ken sent me a link for 4 of the tapered bolts for 8 bucks so I went for it. They'll be coming from New Jersey so I should get them quick. I'm just hoping they don't smell too bad

My oil pump doesn't have studs. It's all bolts. I still don't have my cylinders yet but I'm trying to get as much of it together as I can. I'd like to get the engine and tranny back in the bike and then I'll do the top end when I get the cylinders back.