Gear drive, cam conversion eliminate's?

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Dec 9, 2009 | 12:58 PM

#21

07RoadHawg

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,788

Likes: 4

From: Here

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDSAE60

what turns the secondary cam?

From looking at the website, I think the outer gears are turned via belt, and the front cam is turned by gears on the inside of the cam plate since there isn't an issue with runout between the cams.

Dec 9, 2009 | 01:15 PM

#22

NoBoldRider

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 874

Likes: 2

From: Southern Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDSAE60

what turns the secondary cam?

Helical cut gears, just like the gear driven cams, though all of them are not helical cut. The belt is on the outside under a cover and can be replaced with out opening everything up

Dec 9, 2009 | 05:36 PM

#23

JR-Boston

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 383

Likes: 1

From: Boston & thereabouts

Gear Drive kits, tools, & costs

Quote:

Originally Posted by wraplock

What should I expect to pay to convert to the gear drive?

I just bought a kit offered by American Classic Motors (via eBay) for $700. It's a whole package with Andrews gear drive cams (you choose the grind), a set of gears to replace the old timing chain, new hydraulic roller lifters, Andrews EZ adjustable pushrods, new inner & outer cam bearings, and a gasket kit.

You'll need a small arbor press to press gears and bearings into place, and some special tools for pulling bearings to do the work yourself. Also, pinion runout has to be minimal, less than .003" else the gears bump into each other while spinning and destroy bearings. My pinion runout was less than .002", so no worries. I went with Andrews 21,and I'm really looking forward to putting the new cams in this weekend.

JR

Dec 9, 2009 | 08:12 PM

#24

rdam

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 2,263

Likes: 36

From: Georgia Mountains

Quote:

Originally Posted by matrix5

Wonder why they don't use helical cut gears to reduce the noise? Granted, the ones I've heard have not been bad at all. Just figured with all the whining about the 5th gear whining that cams would drive most riders nuts. Maybe "most" riders that are bothered by 5th gear never get far enough to go into the cam chest?

Once it's warmed up, my 4th gear whine is louder than the gears. I can't even hear them after a few miles. I thought I read somewhere that helical cut gears in that use would cause too much side loading.

Dec 10, 2009 | 08:11 PM

#25

FiremanJeff

Cruiser

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 176

Likes: 0

From: NEW HAMPSHIRE

I went with the S&S 510 kit was like 750.00 and 350 to install no noise at all

Dec 10, 2009 | 11:16 PM

#26

LTDHOG

Intermediate

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

The gears do not have any tension on them and are free following. Nothing pushing against them to slow things down. They worked great on my 2004 FLH, it rev's up good!!!

Dec 11, 2009 | 01:20 AM

#27

oinker02

Banned

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 1,551

Likes: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdam

Yup, helical gears generate axial thrust loads, whereas spur gears only want to go roundy round.

I'm glad I've got OEM hydraulic tensioners, however they too will someday wear out along with the chain.

Let's face it, when it's all said n done, gear drive cams are the way to go. They never stretch like chains, they don't require tensioners that wear down, nor do they allow valve timing errors.

Dec 11, 2009 | 09:03 AM

#28

07RoadHawg

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,788

Likes: 4

From: Here

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdam

Yeah, on your '05, 4th is the straight cut gear where 5th is straight on the '07-up six speeds.

As far as the helical cut vs straight cut argument.... There may be a lot of truth to it, but I guess the consumer whining won the fight against the gear strength since HD made all the trans gears helical on the new ones.

All that to say.... After reading a bit, Bob Wood does offer helical cam gears.