Reusing cam lifters???
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 922
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From: Upstate NY
Reusing cam lifters???
Im upgrading to a set of TW21 cams this winter. As Im slowly gathering parts as the paycheck allows, I dont see much discussion on replacing lifters. In the automotive world, its a sin punishable by death to reuse old lifters on a new cam. Is the same true on a Harley?
(I know the 'it only costs a few more bucks' applies here, but Ive read horror stories on this forum about lifters that grenade apart. If I need to replace them (and I assume I do), whats the best set to run with a TW21 cam and SS quickie rods?
(I know the 'it only costs a few more bucks' applies here, but Ive read horror stories on this forum about lifters that grenade apart. If I need to replace them (and I assume I do), whats the best set to run with a TW21 cam and SS quickie rods?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
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From: SW Ohio
Speaking of HD lifters, not flat tappets:
It depends on the lifters initial quality and how many miles are on them. Personally, if there's any question I replace them; the price of failure is too high and unless you have adjustable push rods, changing them isn't a half hour job.
It depends on the lifters initial quality and how many miles are on them. Personally, if there's any question I replace them; the price of failure is too high and unless you have adjustable push rods, changing them isn't a half hour job.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: OH, USA
Harley stock lifters are pretty much junk. If you're swapping the cam. Swap out the lifters. The hardening on the stock rollers is a coating. It's not solid steel hardened. mine came apart.on my 16 and caused a lot of damage in the cam chest. Do they all fail? No. But if you're in there. It's cheap peace of mind. I went with feuling lifters, feuling high volume oil pump, Zippers dual piston tensioners, Zippers crank drive gear Performance Solutions billet cam plate and S&S adjustable push rods. If and when I put a cam in this 114" I'll be trashing the stock lifters.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Texas
I could not justify spending that much on rebuilding an engine from the bottom up and not replace the lifters...it just didn't make economic sense to me.
I started out with S&S performance lifters but they did not work for this application...I was using SE adjustable pushrods and I could not adjust the lifter tick out. I replaced them with new SE performance lifters (they are stock in the 103) and new SE taper adjustable pushrods and adjusted them by the book. The lifter tick is gone and I have not had any issues since.
I started out with S&S performance lifters but they did not work for this application...I was using SE adjustable pushrods and I could not adjust the lifter tick out. I replaced them with new SE performance lifters (they are stock in the 103) and new SE taper adjustable pushrods and adjusted them by the book. The lifter tick is gone and I have not had any issues since.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 922
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From: Upstate NY
Last night I bought the SS Quickie set, but in my (drunken) ignorance, I failed to notice that the package did NOT include lifters.
Is the adjustment procedure any different for a roller lifter? Do I need to stick with SS rollers if Im using SS rods?
Is the adjustment procedure any different for a roller lifter? Do I need to stick with SS rollers if Im using SS rods?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,157
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From: San Diego, CA
No, any twin cam lifter will work with the pushrods, especially the adjustable pushrods....
The 2010ish and later HD lifters are junk, they are the "C" lifters (#18538-99C). You would be foolish NOT to change them...
I've never heard anyone complain about S&S lifters, particularly the premiums which are made in the USA....
I have had good luck with Johnson-Hylift lifters, from WFO Larry (Larry's Motorcycle Machine). They are superior quality, recommended by techs on HTT Forum, and priced better than the S&S... I am using a set of S&S quickie pushrods and Johnson-Hylift #2313SE lifters in my '03 Heritage with an Andrews 26 cam.
http://www.larrysmotorcyclemachine.com/lifters.html
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: mid Michigan
I've changed my lifters 3 times on this bike. Time before last was installing tw21's , I used the Johnson lifters mentioned above and one would bleed down. After a year and about 15,000 miles I got tired of the cold start tick and running on one cylinder for a few seconds, so I went back to S&s standard lifters and all is well again.
Last edited by xcbullet; Aug 28, 2019 at 11:24 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,249
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From: Utah
OP this is a great setup, and the lifters from Larry are a great way to go.