Cam install start up questions
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Cam install start up questions
I am finishing up installing the SE hydraulic cam plate kit and se203 cams and was wondering if there is any preferable way to fire this thing back up. I left the oil fliter on as it only had 1500 miles on it so I am planning on just dumping 3 qts in it and firing it up and probably changing oil and filter in 500 miles then regular intervals after that. Is there anything wrong with my train of thought and is there anything I should look for to check for things like sumping and to make sure adequate lube is getting up top?
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Joined: Apr 2008
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I'll ask....Why are you changing the oil? All you lost was around 6 oz. or less when you opened the cam chest.
That said Tom at AMS told me to make sure the lifters are bled down before you fire it up and to run it at 1500 or so (I think) for 15 minutes with a fan on it for cooling.I just rode mine at a steady speed for 20 min or so.
Mark
That said Tom at AMS told me to make sure the lifters are bled down before you fire it up and to run it at 1500 or so (I think) for 15 minutes with a fan on it for cooling.I just rode mine at a steady speed for 20 min or so.
Mark
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I just dropped the oil because I thought it would leak continuously while I had it apart. My parts were 2 weeks out so I just droppped it. I got it fired up and had a little scare. When I started it it was only running on one cylinder and was ticking like crazy from the front cylinder. I pulled the plugs and one had fouled so I thought it may have been the power commander. Unplugged the power commander and went off of the stage 1 map, changed the plugs out and started it again. Seemed to run fine with the exception of a higher than usual idle and the ticking valvetrain. I let it run for a few mintues and the ticking seemed to get better so I am assuming it was a lifter that just took a little bit to pump up and then when I plugged the power commander back in everything seems to be fine....weird
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: eastern oklahoma
the old theory with how to break in a cam in chevys was to keep the motor running at 2,000 rpm's for a given amount of time. our harleys have roller lifters, so that's not applicapable to us. just make sure that your oil pressure is up. did you use adjustable pushrods, perfect fit pushrods, or stock ones? looks like you got her running, good for you.
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I went through the rocker boxes and reused the stock pushrods. Keeping the rpms up and using a break in oil with alot of zinc is old flat tappet technology 
I have built several small blocks in my relatively short resume but none that have meant as much to me as my bike. Everything seems to be good thus far, oil pressure is good, much better than what it was with the stock oil pump. Valve train has quieted down to better than what it was before. Sounds good and revs quicker than it did so as far as I can tell I can chalk this one up in the win column.
I have built several small blocks in my relatively short resume but none that have meant as much to me as my bike. Everything seems to be good thus far, oil pressure is good, much better than what it was with the stock oil pump. Valve train has quieted down to better than what it was before. Sounds good and revs quicker than it did so as far as I can tell I can chalk this one up in the win column.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Allen, Texas
I've been thinking of doing this myself if I can build up the confidence to do it. If you don't mind what was your total cost and what parts did you have to buy? If not mistaken the tools to install cost just about as much as the cams.
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Total I spent 600 dollars
343 for the SE kit
100 dollars for se203 cams from a member here out of the classifieds
and 150 dollars for gaskets, bearings, and fluids.
The job is a piece of cake, the only special tool you need if you are going this route is the inner bearing remover/installer. Other than that if you have access to an arbor press you are good to go. The problems I had can hardly be considered problems probably more of me being overly cautious/concerned. To tell you the truth I should have anticipated some issues at start up due to the actual job going so smoothly. If you have a service manual and are comfortable with a wrench then this is easy.
343 for the SE kit
100 dollars for se203 cams from a member here out of the classifieds
and 150 dollars for gaskets, bearings, and fluids.
The job is a piece of cake, the only special tool you need if you are going this route is the inner bearing remover/installer. Other than that if you have access to an arbor press you are good to go. The problems I had can hardly be considered problems probably more of me being overly cautious/concerned. To tell you the truth I should have anticipated some issues at start up due to the actual job going so smoothly. If you have a service manual and are comfortable with a wrench then this is easy.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Allen, Texas
I've got a press sitting about 20 feet away from me here at work. Our maintenance guy works on bikes and keeps telling me it's cake. If I screw something up I could always borrow a friends trailer and take it to someone that knows what they are doing. I do have christmas dollars coming soon. Thanks.