Cam install question
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
Heartland tools look real good. I will keep you posted. Should be done by the weekend. Oxford about an hour from me. Im near the airport north of Hartford. Glad to help if I can.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I have seen the FM, S&S and other late twin cam replacements and they never remove the oil pump from the cam plate. I was not planning on it either, so my question is do I need to perform any "alignment" procedure for the oil pump.
As a side note, make sure you are very careful installing the cam chains, as even though the alignment procedure is forthright people manage to screw it up all the time, even seasoned pros, just by being unattentive. If you install new lifters, which probably isn't necessary, use a common oil gun to prime them prior to installing. Just squirt oil in either hole 'til it comes out of the other one.
Last edited by iclick; Sep 30, 2013 at 02:53 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, Georgia
First off, the oil pump alignment is super easy. I removed everything just to see how it all worked (a habit that I picked up when working on airplanes that I just cant shake) and I cant remember anything standing out that was difficult, so I guess putting it all back together and getting it lined up was not an issue. Secondly, There is no need to replace the inner cam bearings on newer TC motors (96 ci and up). That is just a common practice that everyone does because it was such a high fail point on the older motors. I didnt replace mine, have had the cam chest out twice (for various performance reasons) with the most recent remove/install and had no signs of wear (that was at 10k miles). Before I did my cam swap, I was on the fence on whether to replace or not and FM, Woods, and a few other shops (both local and long distance) said that they have not seen any newer TC bikes (96ci and higher) with cam bearing failures. Someone mentioned it above about getting the repair manual. Well, that was the best $48 I ever spent on my bike and the value I have gained from it is priceless. That would also be my advice to you. Follow that manual to a tee. Dont cut corners, and make sure you take your time. Only thing I didnt do was a break in. But hell, at the time, my bike only had 251 miles on it and I didnt do a "break in" with it then. I have been riding the **** outta my bike since it left the showroom floor and it has been rock solid (knock on wood) for 12k miles and counting. Good luck with your adventure and have fun when its done. Hope I was able to help.
First off, the oil pump alignment is super easy. I removed everything just to see how it all worked (a habit that I picked up when working on airplanes that I just cant shake) and I cant remember anything standing out that was difficult, so I guess putting it all back together and getting it lined up was not an issue. Secondly, There is no need to replace the inner cam bearings on newer TC motors (96 ci and up). That is just a common practice that everyone does because it was such a high fail point on the older motors. I didnt replace mine, have had the cam chest out twice (for various performance reasons) with the most recent remove/install and had no signs of wear (that was at 10k miles). Before I did my cam swap, I was on the fence on whether to replace or not and FM, Woods, and a few other shops (both local and long distance) said that they have not seen any newer TC bikes (96ci and higher) with cam bearing failures. Someone mentioned it above about getting the repair manual. Well, that was the best $48 I ever spent on my bike and the value I have gained from it is priceless. That would also be my advice to you. Follow that manual to a tee. Dont cut corners, and make sure you take your time. Only thing I didnt do was a break in. But hell, at the time, my bike only had 251 miles on it and I didnt do a "break in" with it then. I have been riding the **** outta my bike since it left the showroom floor and it has been rock solid (knock on wood) for 12k miles and counting. Good luck with your adventure and have fun when its done. Hope I was able to help.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
It's an expensive vehicle and I treat it as such. I'm glad it worked out for you. I won't take the chance of dinging the housing and reducing the service life.
I'm with you on this I won't even tap in a wheel bearing let alone cam bearings. If the op lived near me I'd let him borrow all the tools he needs. I think he will do just fine if he leaves the hammers in the box imho