One For The Road
Member
Hi All,
I want to replace the cam chain tensioners on my 2005 Ultra. I had them replaced by a local shop about 23K miles ago. I'd like to do them this time myself. While I haven't done much engine work on Twin Cam motors I worked on my old Shovelhead for 30+ years or so. I feel confident I have the skills to tackle this job. I do have the Harley service manual.
I can buy just the shoes themselves or the complete spring assembly. If I buy just the shoes it looks like I need the assembly fixture as well so I am leaning towards buying the complete assembly. I found a complete kit online at MCSpareParts.com. They offer the complete kit with all gaskets, O rings and shoe assemblies for about $90. The shoes are made from Teflon. I have not read anything about how well Teflon holds up in this application. Does anyone have experience with Teflon shoes. Their kit also uses the round spring. I think Harley OEM springs are square. Can anyone comment on round vs. square springs.
I don't want to remove the cams from the support plate. I had the inner cam bearing replaced with a Torrington when the shop did them last time. I need a special tool to remove the secondary (inner) tensioner without removing the cams from the plate. I have seen homemade ones online but I don't have the equipment to make one myself. The company mentioned above also offers what they call a 'Cujo' tool. It appears to remove the tensioner without removing the cams from the plate.Has anyone had experience with this type of tool.
When the local shop did the work last time they replaced the fixed pushrods with adjustable ones. My old Shovelhead had adjustable pushrods. To adjust them you put the lifter on the base circle of the cam, took out all the up and down shake then did a total of 4 turns then tightened the locknut. Then you waited until you could spin the pushrod between your fingers before rotating the engine. I don't know if it makes a difference what brand of pushrods were used. Does anyone know if there is a standard number of turns for the Twin Cam pushrods. I assume you wait for the lifter to bleed down (spin between fingers) before rotating the engine.
On to the oil pump. My oil pressure gauge reads about 32 psi going down the road and drops to about 5 psi at idle. This is with it fully warmed up. No lifter clatter and the dash light never comes on. According to the manual this seems about normal. Any opinions on replacing the oil pump or the oil pressure relief spring. I see Baisley offers a replacement spring.
I'm sure I will have more questions but thanks for any replies to the above or any other comments or help you all offer. This forum has a great deal of experienced people. Thanks again.
One for the Road (Steve)
I want to replace the cam chain tensioners on my 2005 Ultra. I had them replaced by a local shop about 23K miles ago. I'd like to do them this time myself. While I haven't done much engine work on Twin Cam motors I worked on my old Shovelhead for 30+ years or so. I feel confident I have the skills to tackle this job. I do have the Harley service manual.
I can buy just the shoes themselves or the complete spring assembly. If I buy just the shoes it looks like I need the assembly fixture as well so I am leaning towards buying the complete assembly. I found a complete kit online at MCSpareParts.com. They offer the complete kit with all gaskets, O rings and shoe assemblies for about $90. The shoes are made from Teflon. I have not read anything about how well Teflon holds up in this application. Does anyone have experience with Teflon shoes. Their kit also uses the round spring. I think Harley OEM springs are square. Can anyone comment on round vs. square springs.
I don't want to remove the cams from the support plate. I had the inner cam bearing replaced with a Torrington when the shop did them last time. I need a special tool to remove the secondary (inner) tensioner without removing the cams from the plate. I have seen homemade ones online but I don't have the equipment to make one myself. The company mentioned above also offers what they call a 'Cujo' tool. It appears to remove the tensioner without removing the cams from the plate.Has anyone had experience with this type of tool.
When the local shop did the work last time they replaced the fixed pushrods with adjustable ones. My old Shovelhead had adjustable pushrods. To adjust them you put the lifter on the base circle of the cam, took out all the up and down shake then did a total of 4 turns then tightened the locknut. Then you waited until you could spin the pushrod between your fingers before rotating the engine. I don't know if it makes a difference what brand of pushrods were used. Does anyone know if there is a standard number of turns for the Twin Cam pushrods. I assume you wait for the lifter to bleed down (spin between fingers) before rotating the engine.
On to the oil pump. My oil pressure gauge reads about 32 psi going down the road and drops to about 5 psi at idle. This is with it fully warmed up. No lifter clatter and the dash light never comes on. According to the manual this seems about normal. Any opinions on replacing the oil pump or the oil pressure relief spring. I see Baisley offers a replacement spring.
I'm sure I will have more questions but thanks for any replies to the above or any other comments or help you all offer. This forum has a great deal of experienced people. Thanks again.
One for the Road (Steve)