Adjustable push rods-is there a benefit over stock? 2003 Electra Glide going in for timing chain/compensator repair. 28,000 miles on the unit and mech suggested going to adjustable push rods. Is the extra cost worth it?

 

No

Adjustable pushrods are needed when a cam with a different base circle is used. I think your mechanic is trying to make his job easier and costing you 200 more.

 

Thanks,, the mech appears to be pretty straight up but I'll leave them alone for now.

 

If the cam plate has to come out to do the tensioners on an 03 he will need to pull the heads to keep the stock pushrods. Adjustables will save the cost of doing that. With todays labor rates more than likely less expensive than the added labor. Good reason to do it yourself. You should consider new cam bearings while you are in there. Tools will be less than the labor charge and they will be there to work on your buddy's bikes.

 

Yes and no. With adjustables you can fine tune the depth in the lifter bucket, potentially making for a quieter motor. There is obviously no way to accomplish that adjustment with fixed. Wondering why at 28k your timing chain is suspect. Tensioners maybe... Cost of FuelMoto adjustables is 139.00. The "no" part of the answer is because they are not required unless a new cam with a different base circle is used or heads/deck height changes.

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I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

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The heads do NOT need to come off to remove the pushrods. The valve covers come off and the rocker arms to remove the pushrods. It takes about 20 min if your a slacker.

 

Thanks again-good to know cost savings and benefit of adjustable.

 

Didn't sound right to me but I'm not familiar with every years nuances. Thanks

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I wouldn't recommend adjustable pushrods to my enemy. I tried the SE Adjustables, NO GOOD. I torqued the jamb nuts to spec. I had TWO of the jamb nuts to break in half, leaving me stranded twice. The SE adjustables also clacked against the tubes. I went with another brand adjustable pushrods (Andrews). They did not clack against the tubes, however I got cought in a traffic jam in Charleston, SC and it was so hot that the Locktite thread lock gave up and the jamb nuts loosened. Never again will I go with adjustable pushrods. Buyer/user beware.