Cam Installation Question
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 845
Likes: 45
From: Tucson, AZ
Cam Installation Question
A couple of weeks ago I was at the local dealership and was quoted $1200 for SE255 cams complete with installation and one hour of dyno time. I have read on here how it is a relatively straight forward job and after watching the video on youtube I have decided to do it myself. Years ago I did all my work on my KZ's and am sure that I have the apptitude for the job.
I purchased a set of 255's of ebay for $185 and have a few other questions that I am hopefull can be answered here.
1. Inner cam bearing tool. Buying the HD one is $179, I have found an aftermarket tool on ebay for about $110. Does anyone have any experience with an aftermarket tool and if so will it work as well.
2. Adjustable Pushrods. Which are better to go with the SE's or FuelMoto? The price difference is about $10.
3. Bearing and gasket kit. Again, SE or Fuelmoto?
I am getting the parts together slowly, but surely and plan to have this done before a June ride to Colorado. Going to get a service manual this weekend.
Thank you in advance for all of your help and advice.
I purchased a set of 255's of ebay for $185 and have a few other questions that I am hopefull can be answered here.
1. Inner cam bearing tool. Buying the HD one is $179, I have found an aftermarket tool on ebay for about $110. Does anyone have any experience with an aftermarket tool and if so will it work as well.
2. Adjustable Pushrods. Which are better to go with the SE's or FuelMoto? The price difference is about $10.
3. Bearing and gasket kit. Again, SE or Fuelmoto?
I am getting the parts together slowly, but surely and plan to have this done before a June ride to Colorado. Going to get a service manual this weekend.
Thank you in advance for all of your help and advice.
Just a little FYI I bought my cam removal/install tools off of Ebay also, on the cam bearing removal tool, DO NOT gently tap it through the bearing like they tell you to, it can force the needle bearings into the case and that will be a BAD day. What I did was use a heater hose clamp and tightened it up on the removal tool to compress it where it would slide through the bearing with ease, then took the clamp off to expand the tool to remove the bearings. Other than that it's a great tool. I went with the FuelMoto Pushrods and Install kit, great quality parts, have never used the SE so I can't say one way or the other about them, but I have read about the lock nuts cracking on the SE Adjustable pushrods.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 959
Likes: 5
From: Oswego, IL
I have seen the aftermarket cam tools and The big difference I can see is the installer. Some use a hammer to install the new bearing and some have a threaded support plate to press the new bearing in.
I am going to use the threaded support plate.
There are deals on ebay for cam tools.
For gaskets I called call Fuel Moto and ordered the gasket / bearing kit from them. They are Made in the USA James gaskets and Made in The USA Sonnax Cam Bearings. Atleast that is what I received last week. $61.95 delivered to the door. Had them super fast. Great customer service too.....
I am going to take the tank off and go thru the top.... Save 140 bucks or so. All the gaskets are in the kit for that.
I am going to use the threaded support plate.
There are deals on ebay for cam tools.
For gaskets I called call Fuel Moto and ordered the gasket / bearing kit from them. They are Made in the USA James gaskets and Made in The USA Sonnax Cam Bearings. Atleast that is what I received last week. $61.95 delivered to the door. Had them super fast. Great customer service too.....
I am going to take the tank off and go thru the top.... Save 140 bucks or so. All the gaskets are in the kit for that.
Last edited by Tinman265; Jan 16, 2012 at 11:17 PM. Reason: more info
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,138
Likes: 6,161
From: SE Michigan
I have no experience doing this, but I have noticed that a lot of people recommend these tools: http://www.georges-garage.com/tc_engine_2.htm
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Middlefield Ohio
I just did it yesterday with the $100 eBay tool and worked great. Like stated be careful when tapping in tool to remove old bearing. The install tool worked very nice and sets the bearings to the right depth
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Middlefield Ohio
Oh and also bought gasket set from fuelmoto and look like good gaskets. I still need to assemble everything as I only got the cam bearings done so far. And pulled tank so no adj push rods
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 902
Likes: 3
From: Cincinnati, OH
These are the tools I used. About $110 with shipping and they worked brilliantly. In fact, i sold them to another member who used them on his bike. They made the job easy!
http://www.amazon.com/Harley-Davidso...803502&sr=1-11
http://www.amazon.com/Harley-Davidso...803502&sr=1-11
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 2,597
From: san antonio
Originally Posted by drew4jan
1. Inner cam bearing tool. Buying the HD one is $179, I have found an aftermarket tool on ebay for about $110. Does anyone have any experience with an aftermarket tool and if so will it work as well.
2. Adjustable Pushrods. Which are better to go with the SE's or FuelMoto? The price difference is about $10.
3. Bearing and gasket kit. Again, SE or Fuelmoto?
2. Adjustable Pushrods. Which are better to go with the SE's or FuelMoto? The price difference is about $10.
3. Bearing and gasket kit. Again, SE or Fuelmoto?
1. The Ebay, Amazon of the Gary Beatty tool will all get the job done but,f for the one time DIY caminstall there is a way to save that $110. You can borrow the blind hole puller from your local AutoZone. It will work fine to remove the bearings if they have the correct size collet. An old cam can be used to tap the new beargings in; freeze them overnight, apply a bit of assembly lube and they slip right in. The bearings go in with numbers/writing facing out. There is a shoulder at the rear of the bearing boss so you cannot push them in too far. May sound caveman but I did it that way the first couple of times. Once I started helping family and friends with cam installs and engine rebuilds, I bought the tool. Just suggesting a cheaper alternative.
2.The Fuelmoto pushrods are Smith Brothers; heavier and stiffer than the SEs but also more time consuming to install. They cannot be installed in one piece like the SEs. AFAIK, the issues with the SE adjustor nuts has been addressed. The Smith Brothers are the better pushrods but there is nothing wrong with the SEs.
3. You can order gaskets from Cyco for about half the price of James or Cometic and good quality. SE bearings are also made in USA but you can pick those up at any bearing house. The Nachi Japanese bearing is also good quality.
Are you replacing lifters? Take care when installing the oil pump to insure a good seal at the scavenge port and alignment of the pump.