Hey Everyone, need some advice. I'm working on a 2009 SE Road Glide for a friend of mine. The bike has around 20,000 miles and has been blowing oil since new. As always the dealer told him it was normal and just check the oil level every month. We tore down the motor and the rings were out of tolerance, so we ordered new rings and valve seals. Also, my friend went and bought the SE -259E cam, SE Cam Plate, and high flow oil pump. I told him since we already had the heads off there was no reason to spend $150.00 for adjustable push rods.
I'm ready to put the cams in, and start reading the instruction sheet and it states that the adjustable push rods are required for the cam change. Does anyone know why? We live about 400 miles from the closest dealer, and I hate to send him for the push rods if they are not necessary. Thanks for listening.

 

I do not know any specifics for that cam, but usually when they "require" adjustable pushrods.... it's because the base circle of the cam is different from stock.

There has to be a chart somewhere that will answer that question.

If the base circle is the same as the stock cam, the stock pushrods will work just fine.

 

+1 on what Hattitude wrote!

 

The motor is a 110 that came stock with the SE-255 cams. How do I check to see if the base circle is the same? On all the cam swaps I've done in the past, I used adjustable push rods.

 

I would prefer adjustables either way. That way you know what your lifter preload really is and you have the ability to fine tune in case of any lifter noise. If you use the stock rods and you have lifter noise or issues, you have limited your options.

 

+1 more on the base circle
it must be the same or stock rods won't work

 

I don't see a spec for the base circle in the SE catalog cam chart, but it does suggest that the SE259 and some other SE cams require adjustable pushrods and stiffer valve springs:

Requires use of Screamin’ Eagle Valve Spring kit and appropriate Screamin' Eagle Pushrods for installation and to ensure proper clearance. Failure to comply may result in engine damage.

 

+4 on the base circle. Theoretically the base circle is the base circle (Valves closed) however I would always use adjustables. Allows you some adjustment either way. And later when you want diff cams or change lifters you are good to go.

 

I saw that too. I was checking the SE perfect fit push rods and for the SE-259E they suggest going +.030 over. If the lifter has a travel of .20 and your in the middle that is still .10. If Harley suggests you go .030 over on the push rods, you should still be within the tolerance of the lifter.
If I'm missing something, let me know.

 

The "perfect fit" pushrods are far from a perfect fit. They should be called "close enough fit". Since you've got to change pushrods anyway, now is a perfect time to install a good set of adjustables. A real performance motor will have a way to adjust lifter preload. Get a set of SE tapered, or Smith Bros adjustables..