Cam upgrade o Heritage
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 84
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From: utah
Cam upgrade o Heritage
I have a 2001 Heritage with 20,000 miles on it. The Cam tensioners have never been addressed. I planned on a CAM upgrade this winter but a friend heard about a chance that the gear drives can caused serious engine problems in softtail motors.
I have never heard this but want to avoid issues. What have others done and what were the results...any problems?
I have never heard this but want to avoid issues. What have others done and what were the results...any problems?
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
With the gear drive cams just check the crank runout prior to install an ensure that it is under .003 The nice thing ab out gear drive is that you elimiante the tensioner shoes which are the part that wear out. I did not change the tensioners in my 2002 until 40K and they were about half gone. I did new shoes and bearings and a different set of cams and then 20K miles later the shoes were completely shot at which time I went to the S/E upgraded hydraulic set up. I am yet to check it since doing that and it has been about 15K miles or so.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
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From: Centennial, CO
My understanding is '99-'03 should be ok for gears, but run-out needs to be checked. '04-'07 definitely check and maybe get lucky. '07 and newer is a crap-shoot. Undersize and oversize gears are available to adjust backlash and engagement. If runout is too much, I'm really not sure what can be done. The only thing that comes to my mind is replacing the crank, but someone in here probably knows more.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 521
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs, Co.
Yea, if the SHAFT has runout of more than .003", then you have to replace the crank, but also, the flywheels can have up to .015" runout, and that can be fixed by truing them. You can't measure for flywheel runout though unless you have the case halves dissasembled
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 970
Likes: 19
From: Philippines
Utahdyna,
As HogPro stated, your crank runout must be within spec to even consider gear driven cams. I to have also upgraded to the Screaming Eagle Hydraulic Tensioner system on my 03 Train. The theory is that less tension is placed on the cam chains at low RPM's thereby prolonging the life of the shoes. The kit also includes a higher output oil pump.
Not to difficult of a job if you have mechanical skills and a service manual.
You will however need some specialty tools. Highly recommend purchasing a set of adjustable pushrods. Make the job much easier.
As HogPro stated, your crank runout must be within spec to even consider gear driven cams. I to have also upgraded to the Screaming Eagle Hydraulic Tensioner system on my 03 Train. The theory is that less tension is placed on the cam chains at low RPM's thereby prolonging the life of the shoes. The kit also includes a higher output oil pump.
Not to difficult of a job if you have mechanical skills and a service manual.
You will however need some specialty tools. Highly recommend purchasing a set of adjustable pushrods. Make the job much easier.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I have a 2001 Heritage with 20,000 miles on it. The Cam tensioners have never been addressed. I planned on a CAM upgrade this winter but a friend heard about a chance that the gear drives can caused serious engine problems in softtail motors.
I have never heard this but want to avoid issues. What have others done and what were the results...any problems?
I have never heard this but want to avoid issues. What have others done and what were the results...any problems?
.