looking for cam swap tips
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 921
Likes: 8
From: Junction City, Kansas
looking for cam swap tips
Getting ready to do a FM 222 CAM swap in my SG and would like to hear from anyone who has done this. The swap seems pretty easy to do but want to know if there are any tips or tricks I may need to make it easier. I don't want to run into any snags along the way. Thanks.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 17
From: San Jose
Very strait forward job if you have ever done any similar work before.
I put the new cam bearings in the freezer (0 deg) and warmed the block to 120 deg with a heat gun on a stand. The bearings went in really easy.
Watch the dots (obviously) on both sets of gears.
take your time with the push rod tubes, once you get used to working with them, they are strait forward. Same is true for adj the push rods.
Good luck
oh, bolt cutters.
I put the new cam bearings in the freezer (0 deg) and warmed the block to 120 deg with a heat gun on a stand. The bearings went in really easy.
Watch the dots (obviously) on both sets of gears.
take your time with the push rod tubes, once you get used to working with them, they are strait forward. Same is true for adj the push rods.
Good luck
oh, bolt cutters.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Tx
Read on another thread about cams complaining about the FM pushrods not being the easiest to use and recommending using a different set. Based on watching the videos my plan is using someone else push rods when I do mine. Worth at least looking into.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
I did a cam swap in this last year, so here are some of my tips
1. watch all the videos (FM, you tube, posts on this forum, etc.)
2. read all the instructions posted on this forum. Some very good write-ups
3. have the right tools. I did buy the cam bearing puller and installer tools online based on posts on this forum.
4. you may want to check your crankcase run-out. If you have more than .004 you may need to "true" your crank to prevent damage elsewhere.
5. Replace cam bearings with Timkens
6. Depends on how many miles you have, but I would replace the inner/outer cam chains and tensioner pads since you are in there.
7. Use bolt cutter to get the old push rods out. Only need to do this if you are not pulling the top end off.
8. read the instructions on the adj pushrods install several times.. Make a good clear mark when "lashing" the pushrods so you can see how many turns/lashed you have done.
9. depends on what year bike or if you want to boost your oil flow/pressure, you can get the Feuling or HD SE camplate and high flow oil pump. You can also install a stiffer spring in the camplate to boost oil pressure.
10. Clean each part off very good before putting it back in and use plenty of assembly lube on all the parts.
11. As I was taking the parts off the bike (bolts, nuts, etc.) I would put them in a separate baggie for each area and labelled it. Was much easier for the install knowing where each part was, what it was for and there were all there.
12. If you are installing new lifters, make sure they are "pumped" up with oil before installing and before adj the pushrods.
13. Take your time. do not rush. read review the instructions at each step.
1. watch all the videos (FM, you tube, posts on this forum, etc.)
2. read all the instructions posted on this forum. Some very good write-ups
3. have the right tools. I did buy the cam bearing puller and installer tools online based on posts on this forum.
4. you may want to check your crankcase run-out. If you have more than .004 you may need to "true" your crank to prevent damage elsewhere.
5. Replace cam bearings with Timkens
6. Depends on how many miles you have, but I would replace the inner/outer cam chains and tensioner pads since you are in there.
7. Use bolt cutter to get the old push rods out. Only need to do this if you are not pulling the top end off.
8. read the instructions on the adj pushrods install several times.. Make a good clear mark when "lashing" the pushrods so you can see how many turns/lashed you have done.
9. depends on what year bike or if you want to boost your oil flow/pressure, you can get the Feuling or HD SE camplate and high flow oil pump. You can also install a stiffer spring in the camplate to boost oil pressure.
10. Clean each part off very good before putting it back in and use plenty of assembly lube on all the parts.
11. As I was taking the parts off the bike (bolts, nuts, etc.) I would put them in a separate baggie for each area and labelled it. Was much easier for the install knowing where each part was, what it was for and there were all there.
12. If you are installing new lifters, make sure they are "pumped" up with oil before installing and before adj the pushrods.
13. Take your time. do not rush. read review the instructions at each step.
Last edited by mr396; Jan 15, 2013 at 11:53 AM.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: NORTH CAROLINA
This is posted in several places on the forum .... pretty long, but detailed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5KvamRqCis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5KvamRqCis
Trending Topics
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Use high quality torque wrenches.
Use plenty of assembly lube available at auto zone, etc. replace all three O rings on the oil pump.
I used the nice Gary Beatty tool to remove and seat my new Torringtons. Remember to install them letter side out. Use plenty of lube on these for sure when installing. Gary's tool will seat them the .025" beyond flush per spec.
Spray your exhaust flange threads the night before with penetrating fluid. That way when you try to loosen the exhaust flange nuts you won't twist off one of the studs. That is a really sucky way to start this project.
Order a new cam cover gasket and use it. Don't know how old your bike is, but you might want to order new primary and secondary cam chain tensioner shoes.
I like and used the S&S quickie install pushrods. They come with all you need including all new O rings, a new set of covers to give you plenty of room to work on the adjuster and jam nut. They are really nice pushrods and I highly recommend them. Using these, you do not have to remove the lifter blocks.
Watch the video that others have provided. It's a good resource.
Use plenty of assembly lube available at auto zone, etc. replace all three O rings on the oil pump.
I used the nice Gary Beatty tool to remove and seat my new Torringtons. Remember to install them letter side out. Use plenty of lube on these for sure when installing. Gary's tool will seat them the .025" beyond flush per spec.
Spray your exhaust flange threads the night before with penetrating fluid. That way when you try to loosen the exhaust flange nuts you won't twist off one of the studs. That is a really sucky way to start this project.
Order a new cam cover gasket and use it. Don't know how old your bike is, but you might want to order new primary and secondary cam chain tensioner shoes.
I like and used the S&S quickie install pushrods. They come with all you need including all new O rings, a new set of covers to give you plenty of room to work on the adjuster and jam nut. They are really nice pushrods and I highly recommend them. Using these, you do not have to remove the lifter blocks.
Watch the video that others have provided. It's a good resource.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 147
From: Grays Creek, NC
I did a cam swap in this last year, so here are some of my tips
1. watch all the videos (FM, you tube, posts on this forum, etc.)
2. read all the instructions posted on this forum. Some very good write-ups
3. have the right tools. I did buy the cam bearing puller and installer tools online based on posts on this forum.
4. you may want to check your crankcase run-out. If you have more than .004 you may need to "true" your crank to prevent damage elsewhere.
5. Replace cam bearings with Timkens
6. Depends on how many miles you have, but I would replace the inner/outer cam chains and tensioner pads since you are in there.
7. Use bolt cutter to get the old push rods out. Only need to do this if you are not pulling the top end off.
8. read the instructions on the adj pushrods install several times.. Make a good clear mark when "lashing" the pushrods so you can see how many turns/lashed you have done.
9. depends on what year bike or if you want to boost your oil flow/pressure, you can get the Feuling or HD SE camplate and high flow oil pump. You can also install a stiffer spring in the camplate to boost oil pressure.
10. Clean each part off very good before putting it back in and use plenty of assembly lube on all the parts.
11. As I was taking the parts off the bike (bolts, nuts, etc.) I would put them in a separate baggie for each area and labelled it. Was much easier for the install knowing where each part was, what it was for and there were all there.
12. If you are installing new lifters, make sure they are "pumped" up with oil before installing and before adj the pushrods.
13. Take your time. do not rush. read review the instructions at each step.
1. watch all the videos (FM, you tube, posts on this forum, etc.)
2. read all the instructions posted on this forum. Some very good write-ups
3. have the right tools. I did buy the cam bearing puller and installer tools online based on posts on this forum.
4. you may want to check your crankcase run-out. If you have more than .004 you may need to "true" your crank to prevent damage elsewhere.
5. Replace cam bearings with Timkens
6. Depends on how many miles you have, but I would replace the inner/outer cam chains and tensioner pads since you are in there.
7. Use bolt cutter to get the old push rods out. Only need to do this if you are not pulling the top end off.
8. read the instructions on the adj pushrods install several times.. Make a good clear mark when "lashing" the pushrods so you can see how many turns/lashed you have done.
9. depends on what year bike or if you want to boost your oil flow/pressure, you can get the Feuling or HD SE camplate and high flow oil pump. You can also install a stiffer spring in the camplate to boost oil pressure.
10. Clean each part off very good before putting it back in and use plenty of assembly lube on all the parts.
11. As I was taking the parts off the bike (bolts, nuts, etc.) I would put them in a separate baggie for each area and labelled it. Was much easier for the install knowing where each part was, what it was for and there were all there.
12. If you are installing new lifters, make sure they are "pumped" up with oil before installing and before adj the pushrods.
13. Take your time. do not rush. read review the instructions at each step.
And it can't be said enough, watch the videos until you have no questions!
