New cams
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,096
Likes: 5
From: Indiana
New cams
So, got a set of S&S 551 easy start cams S&S adjustable push rods, having a hell of a time getting everything to work. To start had an issue with getting the cam plate/ oil pump back on the crankshaft..a tick out of alignment and snapped the oil pump gear..nicked the very end of crankshaft a very little bit..oil pump slides over it and is behind nick...nick does not appear to be a issue...Looked over the cam plate, see no cracks or, any other issue, no material in case area, new pump..etc..
Cannot get the flippin push rods to stay..Get everything set, hit base, have a click noise to tell me base after passing the compression tab on cam...adjust it basically 3 turns, tighten the hell out of the nut...Fire it up, sounds great, runs great for about 10 miles or so..rods loose, ticking...more ticking, engine shuts down..happened several times...first time rear intake rod, second time rear intake rod, third time front intake rod, fourth time rear intake and exhaust rod..
First time, had to get a new tappet for the rear intake, spring 1/2 popped out.. so far, no more need for tappets..Rods do not look bad..
Adjusted so many times, referred to here, you tube, and random google..I think I got the adjustment thing ok, the tightening of the lock nut..
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Cannot get the flippin push rods to stay..Get everything set, hit base, have a click noise to tell me base after passing the compression tab on cam...adjust it basically 3 turns, tighten the hell out of the nut...Fire it up, sounds great, runs great for about 10 miles or so..rods loose, ticking...more ticking, engine shuts down..happened several times...first time rear intake rod, second time rear intake rod, third time front intake rod, fourth time rear intake and exhaust rod..
First time, had to get a new tappet for the rear intake, spring 1/2 popped out.. so far, no more need for tappets..Rods do not look bad..
Adjusted so many times, referred to here, you tube, and random google..I think I got the adjustment thing ok, the tightening of the lock nut..
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 26
wow, sounds like a project you wish you never would of started. Been there!! ;-) I have the 583ES cam and I havnent heard this "click" you are talking about when I adjust my pushrods. I can only assume you have the plugs out and are turning rear wheel to find TDC compression stroke? It really sounds like your starting from wrong point when adjusting pushrods. Just make sure your at DTC and lifter is at its lowest point and re-adjust. Are your pushrods lock nuts actually loose when you go back to check them when bike dies?? Good luck man, sorry your have all the issues.
I know there are lots of success stories on here about adjustable pushrods, but like you, me and Mr. Murphy have a close relationship. That's why I elected to go through the top when I did my cam swap.
Thread Starter
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,096
Likes: 5
From: Indiana
wow, sounds like a project you wish you never would of started. Been there!! ;-) I have the 583ES cam and I havnent heard this "click" you are talking about when I adjust my pushrods. I can only assume you have the plugs out and are turning rear wheel to find TDC compression stroke? It really sounds like your starting from wrong point when adjusting pushrods. Just make sure your at DTC and lifter is at its lowest point and re-adjust. Are your pushrods lock nuts actually loose when you go back to check them when bike dies?? Good luck man, sorry your have all the issues.
Thread Starter
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,096
Likes: 5
From: Indiana
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Scranton, Arkansas
This is the same video I used last month installing my brother and my cams. Did two bikes in two weeks with out to many problems. I think the best thing we did was use a drinking straw in the piston we were working on to make sure piston was up and both lifters down to make sure we were on the proper stroke. I sure can't make sense out of the adjuster nuts loosening up. What push rods you using, we adjusted both of ours at 3 turns after taking out the slack in the rods.
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Thread Starter
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,096
Likes: 5
From: Indiana
This is the same video I used last month installing my brother and my cams. Did two bikes in two weeks with out to many problems. I think the best thing we did was use a drinking straw in the piston we were working on to make sure piston was up and both lifters down to make sure we were on the proper stroke. I sure can't make sense out of the adjuster nuts loosening up. What push rods you using, we adjusted both of ours at 3 turns after taking out the slack in the rods.
S&S adjustable rods, stock lifters..What is this straw method? I tried that to, take slack out of rods, 3 full tighten turns..are you letting them bleed?
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 106
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From: Scranton, Arkansas
We just took a long straw, set it on top of the piston so we could tell when the piston came up and the lifters where both in the down position. Compression stroke. Took two of us to do it that way. Actually have to kinda hold the straw so you can feel the movement of the piston and if ya don't hold it, it will blow the little sucker right outta there. Worked great for us.
