Cam Tensioner Question
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 121
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RE: Cam Tensioner Question
I think some of the S&S cam and gear kits start around 500.00. I went with the Woods TW5-G cams which are about 350.00. Plus about 350.00 for the S&S gearset and bearing install kit.
To keep the labor down on the topend disassembly the dealer may suggest the SE quick install pushrods. What the dealer would charge for labor time I have no idea. A guess would be 4-6 hours. More or less depending on what cam you go with and if the crank bearing boss needs to be modified. I did my install myself.
My tensioners were shot after 20k. I went with the gear drive for peace of mind and one less timely inspection procedure to perform. Not to mention keeping hard bits of plastic out of my engine that will ruin the soft aluminum oil pump in a heartbeat like what happened to me. That was another hundred bucks. I didn't buy the extended warranty. So I do everything on my part to ensure my engine lasts me a long time. Even if it costs a little up front.
To keep the labor down on the topend disassembly the dealer may suggest the SE quick install pushrods. What the dealer would charge for labor time I have no idea. A guess would be 4-6 hours. More or less depending on what cam you go with and if the crank bearing boss needs to be modified. I did my install myself.
My tensioners were shot after 20k. I went with the gear drive for peace of mind and one less timely inspection procedure to perform. Not to mention keeping hard bits of plastic out of my engine that will ruin the soft aluminum oil pump in a heartbeat like what happened to me. That was another hundred bucks. I didn't buy the extended warranty. So I do everything on my part to ensure my engine lasts me a long time. Even if it costs a little up front.
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,496
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RE: Cam Tensioner Question
Here's some input on the tensioners https://www.hdforums.com/m_127891/tm.htm
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,411
Likes: 0
From: Beddington, Maine
RE: Cam Tensioner Question
Geeez Bill. Those pictures sure tell the story. I guess thats one more thing for me to worry about down the road.....Thanks for sharing on this subject. Will
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,411
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From: Beddington, Maine
RE: Cam Tensioner Question
Thanks for the info. Check out those pics that TC provided. SCAREY!!!!!
ORIGINAL: timbo
I think some of the S&S cam and gear kits start around 500.00. I went with the Woods TW5-G cams which are about 350.00. Plus about 350.00 for the S&S gearset and bearing install kit.
To keep the labor down on the topend disassembly the dealer may suggest the SE quick install pushrods. What the dealer would charge for labor time I have no idea. A guess would be 4-6 hours. More or less depending on what cam you go with and if the crank bearing boss needs to be modified. I did my install myself.
My tensioners were shot after 20k. I went with the gear drive for peace of mind and one less timely inspection procedure to perform. Not to mention keeping hard bits of plastic out of my engine that will ruin the soft aluminum oil pump in a heartbeat like what happened to me. That was another hundred bucks. I didn't buy the extended warranty. So I do everything on my part to ensure my engine lasts me a long time. Even if it costs a little up front.
I think some of the S&S cam and gear kits start around 500.00. I went with the Woods TW5-G cams which are about 350.00. Plus about 350.00 for the S&S gearset and bearing install kit.
To keep the labor down on the topend disassembly the dealer may suggest the SE quick install pushrods. What the dealer would charge for labor time I have no idea. A guess would be 4-6 hours. More or less depending on what cam you go with and if the crank bearing boss needs to be modified. I did my install myself.
My tensioners were shot after 20k. I went with the gear drive for peace of mind and one less timely inspection procedure to perform. Not to mention keeping hard bits of plastic out of my engine that will ruin the soft aluminum oil pump in a heartbeat like what happened to me. That was another hundred bucks. I didn't buy the extended warranty. So I do everything on my part to ensure my engine lasts me a long time. Even if it costs a little up front.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 113
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From:
RE: Cam Tensioner Question
I had S&S 510G (gear driven) cams, pushrods, lifters, and reed valve installed last month; they also adjusted the Power Commander. I had almost 27K-miles on my Road King at the time. It cost me $1495. including tax.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 121
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RE: Cam Tensioner Question
Here are some pics of my encounter with the tensioners. They have 20k miles on them. If you notice, the outer edges of the inner shoe are about ready to break off into a couple large pieces. You can't tell by the pic, but there is a crack that formed between the ledge of the shoe that was eaten away, and the center of the pad.
Some people want to write off the little bits of plastic as harmless. But if any of you know just how small some of the oil feed holes are it wouldn't be hard at all for a piece of plastic to get lodged in the oil feed that serves the bearings and cause severe damage or bearing failure due to reduced or haulted lubrication.
Inner shoe:
Inner shoe:
Inner shoe:
Outer shoe:
If you hear a sound eminating from the right side of the engine, especially on decel that sounds like a marraca, babys rattle or a metal coffee can full of bb's being shaken you more than likely are hearing a tensioner in the process of going bad.
Some people want to write off the little bits of plastic as harmless. But if any of you know just how small some of the oil feed holes are it wouldn't be hard at all for a piece of plastic to get lodged in the oil feed that serves the bearings and cause severe damage or bearing failure due to reduced or haulted lubrication.
Inner shoe:
Inner shoe:
Inner shoe:
Outer shoe:
If you hear a sound eminating from the right side of the engine, especially on decel that sounds like a marraca, babys rattle or a metal coffee can full of bb's being shaken you more than likely are hearing a tensioner in the process of going bad.
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Banned
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 802
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RE: Cam Tensioner Question
ORIGINAL: SubZer0
I was going to put gear drive cam's in my bike when I had the stage II done but the dealer told me that if I did that it would void my warranty.[:@] So I guess I'll just wait for the warranty to expire before installing gear drives.
I was going to put gear drive cam's in my bike when I had the stage II done but the dealer told me that if I did that it would void my warranty.[:@] So I guess I'll just wait for the warranty to expire before installing gear drives.
Dealers, use this as a scare tactic, its common, and they get away with it. Customers need to be better educated on this.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 478
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RE: Cam Tensioner Question
I really don't understand why HD has such a problem with these tensioners. Auto manufacturers use basicly the same thing. I work on Fords and I can tell you from experience that there tensioners will go 200K with no problem, in a properly maintained engine.