Twin cam lifters...
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 341
From: Virginia Beach
Twin cam lifters...
REPLACE THOSE LIFTERS!
In a previous thread I swapped out my stock cams with the AP 57h's and left the stock lifters in at 6200 miles that review is here:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...n-a-103-a.html
The lifters looked good, ( at 6200 miles ) and I felt confident in their performance. I had heard some rumbling about how bad the lifters are, but I also know some folks who have left them in with no (known) issues. I put 8300 miles on it and decided to swap out the AP 57h's with some S&S 551's I purchased. ( story for another thread ) No issues with the 57h's just came across the 551's and wanted to try them.
I was just going to swap out the cams, but then I purchased a new set of "C" lifters to swap out since they had close to 15 k on them.
This week I took it all apart to install my new S&S 551CE cams and I found out I had the lifter frosting that has been mentioned before here, (but I cannot locate the thread) found thread here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...l#post12321028
14500 miles. Not on all the lifters, the front intake appeared to be the worst, the rear exhaust appeared to have none.
So I am glad I decided to swap out the cams, not knowing what could have happened. I did not take any pictures, but I did some research and came across this: http://harleytechtalk.org/htt/index.php?topic=49579.0 It is a very interesting read....
I have ordered the VThunder lifters and will install those when I get them. If you have seen the lifter thread that was posted here about "frosted lifters" copy a link here.
Again, I had no noise, no point of failure, no issues. Just wanted to take it apart to try a different cam. So if you have done this, you may want to revisit the cam chest as a preventative measure.
This picture is similar to my lifters...
In a previous thread I swapped out my stock cams with the AP 57h's and left the stock lifters in at 6200 miles that review is here:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...n-a-103-a.html
The lifters looked good, ( at 6200 miles ) and I felt confident in their performance. I had heard some rumbling about how bad the lifters are, but I also know some folks who have left them in with no (known) issues. I put 8300 miles on it and decided to swap out the AP 57h's with some S&S 551's I purchased. ( story for another thread ) No issues with the 57h's just came across the 551's and wanted to try them.
I was just going to swap out the cams, but then I purchased a new set of "C" lifters to swap out since they had close to 15 k on them.
This week I took it all apart to install my new S&S 551CE cams and I found out I had the lifter frosting that has been mentioned before here, (but I cannot locate the thread) found thread here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...l#post12321028
14500 miles. Not on all the lifters, the front intake appeared to be the worst, the rear exhaust appeared to have none.
So I am glad I decided to swap out the cams, not knowing what could have happened. I did not take any pictures, but I did some research and came across this: http://harleytechtalk.org/htt/index.php?topic=49579.0 It is a very interesting read....
I have ordered the VThunder lifters and will install those when I get them. If you have seen the lifter thread that was posted here about "frosted lifters" copy a link here.
Again, I had no noise, no point of failure, no issues. Just wanted to take it apart to try a different cam. So if you have done this, you may want to revisit the cam chest as a preventative measure.
This picture is similar to my lifters...
Last edited by jammerx; Feb 13, 2014 at 10:56 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
how often do you change your oil? Oil condition will have a major affect on the metal finish, and once it starts to wear the micro film of hardness off, its to hell in a handbasket real quick.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 751
Likes: 9
From: Portland, Oregon
Some one on here recommends Comp cams #850's. About 15 bucks apiece or 190 for 16. You could change out four times! They are Chevrolet style and supposedly identical. He seemed to have used them for quite some time.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 341
From: Virginia Beach
Adjustable SE kit.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
I swapped mine out when I was trying to trace down valve train noise. Put SE tappered adjustables in. Didn't notice a whole lot of differance but felt better about getting those mexican made garbage out of there. What really made the diff on quietting my motor down was going to a richer map after installing VHDDs which bewilders me. I've since gone back to dino oil but it quietted down before that? Lets not turn this into an oil thread please!!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 7
From: Wisconsin
I changed out the lifters when I did the cams in both bikes. I put the Wood lifters in both. I'm not partial to the brand other than they matched the cam.
I think its just a smart move to change out the lifters with the cam, regarless of milage.
I think its just a smart move to change out the lifters with the cam, regarless of milage.