gear conversion - cam chain tension
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 539
Likes: 284
From: Coldstream B.C. CA.
By all means flush the spring tensioners NOW! As mentioned multiple times "Do make sure the runout in your crank will allow for timing gears". And yes the hydraulic tensioners are better than the old spring tensioners BUT they need to be part of your service routine and re-visited too. This is NOT the case if you can upgrade to the bullet proof gear drive system. Proper backlash is imperative and remember, don't just check the lash in one or two positions, the proper clearance (lash) has to be consistent at all 360 degrees of rotation. Don't get nervous about all this,gear timed engines go back to the days of Henry ford,it's not rocket science. For rock solid reliability, no chain drive can out last a good set of timing gears if they are properly installed---Period! As for noisey, again if the gear components are right you'll probably never hear the difference, especially if you have pipes. I say go for it and never look at your timing components again, that's what I did.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,795
Likes: 7,420
From: OH
Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth I swapped the 4 cams in my XLCR, manual had you check and set the end play but there was no mention of radial run out.( these gears also drove the breather & generator)
Then again iron Sportsters always sounded like a box of rocks anyway !
Then again iron Sportsters always sounded like a box of rocks anyway !
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
I had the engine rebuilt in my 08 at about 112,000 and my indy was going to put gear cams in it. After inspecting the cam plate and the hydraulic tensioners, he saw no reason to put gear cams in even though he had done the crank bearing upgrade and trued the crank to spot on. He put new shoes on the hydraulic tensioners and put them back in since they are quieter than the gear drive.
As reliable as the hydraulic units have become, I'd just do that upgrade. You don't have to worry about crank run out and you can open it up and install right away. If you check your run out first, you'll have to either put it back together or leave it open while you order parts.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
You're supposed to check them? They'll go a 100,000 plus easy.
I had the engine rebuilt in my 08 at about 112,000 and my indy was going to put gear cams in it. After inspecting the cam plate and the hydraulic tensioners, he saw no reason to put gear cams in even though he had done the crank bearing upgrade and trued the crank to spot on. He put new shoes on the hydraulic tensioners and put them back in since they are quieter than the gear drive.
As reliable as the hydraulic units have become, I'd just do that upgrade. You don't have to worry about crank run out and you can open it up and install right away. If you check your run out first, you'll have to either put it back together or leave it open while you order parts.
I had the engine rebuilt in my 08 at about 112,000 and my indy was going to put gear cams in it. After inspecting the cam plate and the hydraulic tensioners, he saw no reason to put gear cams in even though he had done the crank bearing upgrade and trued the crank to spot on. He put new shoes on the hydraulic tensioners and put them back in since they are quieter than the gear drive.
As reliable as the hydraulic units have become, I'd just do that upgrade. You don't have to worry about crank run out and you can open it up and install right away. If you check your run out first, you'll have to either put it back together or leave it open while you order parts.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sharknose
Exhaust System Topics
11
Jan 19, 2011 10:27 PM
