Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Push Rod Question "Dawg?"

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 5, 2010 | 12:16 AM
  #1  
tslonige's Avatar
tslonige
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 1
From: Arlington, TX
Default Push Rod Question "Dawg?"

Can someone tell me if the stock push rods are ok to use?

TC88
SE high compression domed pistons, stock bore
SE 211 cam
Stock heads
Cometic .03 head gasket
About 10.1:1 compression

Thx
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2010 | 01:46 AM
  #2  
hog-doc's Avatar
hog-doc
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 53
From: ID Ho
Default

Originally Posted by tslonige
Can someone tell me if the stock push rods are ok to use?

TC88
SE high compression domed pistons, stock bore
SE 211 cam
Stock heads
Cometic .03 head gasket
About 10.1:1 compression

Thx
Not since you changed the head gasket thickness, now the stock pushrods are too long. Better to use adjustables anyway so that lifter preload is set correctly.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2010 | 01:46 AM
  #3  
PapaTravis's Avatar
PapaTravis
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 10
From:
Default

OK to use for what? Personally, and there were doubters, I used my stock push rods when I installed my 95" cylinders and pistons. I didn't want to worry about dialing in the correct number of turns with adjustables (plus the added cost). Trust me, everyone warned me about it, especially because I used 'used' cams and cylinders. Well, almost 10k later, and I have not an issue, knock on wood. So, not being an expert, and only going off my own personal experience, I say it should be fine. Now, if I were to later go back in and change cams (which I have NO intension of doing), I would buy a new set of adjustable pushrods, to avoid taking off the top end.... but, I took a risk, and I am fine with my decision...
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2010 | 01:49 AM
  #4  
PapaTravis's Avatar
PapaTravis
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 10
From:
Default

Of course, if hog doc, being the same I think he is... you might take his advice...
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2010 | 01:51 AM
  #5  
hog-doc's Avatar
hog-doc
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 53
From: ID Ho
Default

Originally Posted by PapaTravis
OK to use for what? Personally, and there were doubters, I used my stock push rods when I installed my 95" cylinders and pistons. I didn't want to worry about dialing in the correct number of turns with adjustables (plus the added cost). Trust me, everyone warned me about it, especially because I used 'used' cams and cylinders. Well, almost 10k later, and I have not an issue, knock on wood. So, not being an expert, and only going off my own personal experience, I say it should be fine. Now, if I were to later go back in and change cams (which I have NO intension of doing), I would buy a new set of adjustable pushrods, to avoid taking off the top end.... but, I took a risk, and I am fine with my decision...
Yes, but you didnt change your total stack heigth by using thinner than stock head gaskets!

Whats up PappaT?
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2010 | 01:56 AM
  #6  
PapaTravis's Avatar
PapaTravis
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 10
From:
Default

Originally Posted by hog-doc
Yes, but you didnt change your total stack heigth by using thinner than stock head gaskets!

Whats up PappaT?
Hello, my friend. It's been a while.

Heck, I'm not sure what thickness I actually used. If memory serves, it was .030". What does the stock run?
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2010 | 02:32 AM
  #7  
nahanhoku's Avatar
nahanhoku
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
From: Oahu
Default

You may be ok. I would mock it up and if you can turn the pushrods between your fingers after the lifters bleed off you will be ok. If the lifters bleed down and the pushrods don't turn with some effort, then thicker head gaskets or adjustable pushrods are options. You should mock it up to check valve to piston clearance anyway.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2010 | 04:42 AM
  #8  
mtclassic's Avatar
mtclassic
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 15
Default

if the base circle on the 211's is the same as stock you can use stock pushrods with the .030 headgasket. Stock head gasket is .050 or there abouts so you are at -.020. your stock lifters have plenty of travel for that difference. stock lifter travel is .2 and most set the adjustables some where in the middle of the lifter travel. you can safely use stock pushrods with total reduced stack height of .050 or so. I use .030 hg and shaved my heads .038 and no issues with stock pr with cams that have stock base circle.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 5, 2010 | 06:46 AM
  #9  
dawg's Avatar
dawg
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,580
Likes: 3,957
From: Vermont
Default

I answered your PM.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2010 | 06:57 AM
  #10  
mainshaft's Avatar
mainshaft
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Default

I should have my 06 Ultra 95 BB done this afternoon, (waiting on the Baisley spring) I went with SS510G's and a cometic 0.030 with stock push rods, after the lifters were bled down the rods spun with my fingers very easy. I'm hoping i'm good also.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:24 AM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE