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Cam install questions

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Old Sep 29, 2011 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Spur56
Anyone out there ever have or know of someone that has had a failure of the original cam bearings. This is not a high stress area for a stock motor and the 255 is not a high lift cam. I know of zero cam bearing failures. HD does not even include or recommend replacement of these bearings with their kit.
Agreed not a high stress area; the TC is a low rpm motor but there have been failures of the inner cam bearings. When they go, you got a major load of bad juju to deal with; can take out the oil pump, cam plate and crank. Sure, there are many more that have not failed but knowing that there have been failures, why take a chance? The upgraded full compliment bearings cost $12, or less, and it takes 15 minutes to R/R them. If one is working in the cam chest, it just makes good sense to upgrade.

Google Harley Davidson inner cam bearings and follow the trail, you will find plenty of failures. Probably can find some forum members that have had the pleasure.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2011 | 11:01 AM
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When I do my cam, I will upgrade the bearings. Cheap insurance.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2011 | 12:31 PM
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Did the search you asked and could find no failures of inner cam bearings on 07 and up twin cams producing less than 100 hp. The twin cam design places less stress on the inner cam bearings as compared to earlier designs.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2011 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by djl
No less stress; the brearings are 1" not .875 like the earlier models but still caged bearing, not full compliment. The fact that the MoCo increased re-tooled for larger bearing bosses in the cases is a clear indicator that the MoCo was addressing a potential problem area.

Took me about five minutes to find these; there were more and this was just one forum.

http://harleytechtalk.org/htt/index....html#msg411871
http://harleytechtalk.org/htt/index....html#msg256090
http://harleytechtalk.org/htt/index....html#msg359201

Your bike, your money but it just doesn't make sense to leave the OEM INA bearings in the cam chest if you have to open it up anyway. JMHO
Not to be ugly, but if I read those right, they are pre 2007. I certainly do not disagree with upgrading bearings, but for those that don't want to spend money on all the tools for a one time change, the original bearings may be just fine.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2011 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Spur56
Did the search you asked and could find no failures of inner cam bearings on 07 and up twin cams producing less than 100 hp. The twin cam design places less stress on the inner cam bearings as compared to earlier designs.
No less stress; the brearings are 1" not .875" like the earlier models but still INA caged bearing, not full compliment. The fact that the MoCo re-tooled for larger bearing bosses in the cases is a clear indicator that the MoCo was addressing a potential problem area. It is also interesting to note that the MoCo now offers full compliment inner cam bearings in the SE Perfomance catalog.

Took me about five minutes to find these; I believe they are all pre '07; didn't read enough to know if the motors were stock or not. There were more and this was just one forum and I can tell you that I have read several posts of inner cam bearing failure on /07 and later models, stock BTW.

http://harleytechtalk.org/htt/index....html#msg411871
http://harleytechtalk.org/htt/index....html#msg256090
http://harleytechtalk.org/htt/index....html#msg359201

I am not suggesting that one should R/R inner cam bearings on a stock bike just to upgrade. However, I am saying that it is foolish to leave the OEM INA bearings in the cam chest if you have to open it up for something else. JMHO
 
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Old Sep 29, 2011 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Spur56
Not to be ugly, but if I read those right, they are pre 2007. I certainly do not disagree with upgrading bearings, but for those that don't want to spend money on all the tools for a one time change, the original bearings may be just fine.
Don't need special tools. Auto Zone has blind hole pullers with correct collet size, no charte. Use one of the removed cams to install. You are right, the OEM caged beargins MAY be just fine; I hope you don't experience what some have when one goes bad.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2011 | 02:24 PM
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Second question. Are the Screaming Eagle and B-168's the same? Thanks
 
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Old Sep 29, 2011 | 02:32 PM
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Agree djl. Is there any chance of getting the bearing cocked if you use the old bearings as drivers? Also how about getting the right depth? Might have to try this in the winter. Thanks
 
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Old Sep 29, 2011 | 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Spur56
Second question. Are the Screaming Eagle and B-168's the same?
Yes

Originally Posted by spur56
Agree djl. Is there any chance of getting the bearing cocked if you use the old bearings as drivers? Also how about getting the right depth? Might have to try this in the winter.
You can **** the bearing with any tool, so, yeah, there is that possibility. However, if you freeze the bearing over night, apply some assembly lube, the bearing will tap righ in. If it doesn't, back off and try again.

There is a shoulder at the back of the bearing boss that the bearing seats against; no danger of getting the bearing too deep in the bore.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2011 | 03:42 PM
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Great video!
 
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