A bit of info on Johnson Lifters
WHAT MAKES THE HYLIFT-JOHNSON LIFTERS SUPERIOR TO OTHERS?
Hylift-Johnson lifters for Harley Davidson.
The original Harley Davidson Hylift-Johnson lifters are superior because they
have better bleed down specification for better valve lash control and higher
oil output capacity delivery for the valves. This in turn provides better
lubrication and cooling.
Q: Why does Harley Davidson no longer use Hylift-Johnson lifters, which were
originally designed for Harley Davidson?
A: Cost cutting measure. From 1998-2002 Hylift-Johnson lifters were O.E
part. In this time frame Harleys did not suffer from lifter associated problems.
2002 onwards Delphi brand units were used. They were unable to “copy” the
Hylift-Johnson internals (patented).
"From 1999 - 2001, Johnson-Hylift supplied lifters to Harley-Davidson...
Johnson-Hylift designed and produced a special piston and valve body
to work across the temp ranges and varying oil psi typically encountered
on an air-cooled engine such as the Harley. Since late 2001, HD has used
Delphi brand hydraulic lifters. That's why there was a Harley p/n change
from 18538-99 to 18538-99A and now 18538-99B. However, Delphi did not
use a 0.655" hi-volume / hi-pressure plunger piston and valve body
specifically designed for Harley as found in the Johnson-Hylift lifters.
Instead, Delphi essentially used a small block Chevy lifter. The main
difference is the Delphi lifter tries to boost the hydraulic psi by decreasing
the piston diameter, but this leads to a smaller high pressure oil reservoir.
The volume is too small and allows the lifter to clatter. That may be why
so many of the late model Twin-Cam bikes are noisy. After doing some
research AMS learned these Delphi version 18538-99B lifters are made too
small to stand up to Harley's heavy valve spring pressure. The oil reservoir
inside the lifter is too small. It doesn't hold enough oil to let the lifter bleed
off under normal use and still have a cushion of compressed oil to take up
valve train slack. Note: ALL lifters bleed off during operation and even
more-so when the bikes sits, engine off. "
Q: What other well known brands use Hylift-Johnson lifters?
A: S&S Cycle do! Excerpt from S&S Cycle website below.
“S&S offers high performance tappets for 1999-up Harley-Davidson® Twin Cam 88® and
Twin Cam 96™ engines and 2000-up Sportster® models. These tappets are a great choice for any
stock or high performance application. Only the finest materials and precision machining techniques
are used in the manufacture of these lifters, and strict quality control insures that they will work.
flawlessly every time, no matter what the application. Whether you have a stock 88 incher or the
most outrageous big inch engine with a radical cam and spring combination, S&S tappets are built to
take it. Sold as a set of 4, HL2T kit not included.
Harley-Davidson® part number 18538-99A/B.
S&S offers high performance tappets for 1999-up Harley-Davidson® Twin Cam 88® and Twin Cam
96™ engines and 2000-up Sportster® models. These tappets are a great choice for any stock or high
performance application. Only the finest materials and precision machining techniques are used in the
manufacture of these lifters, and strict quality control insures that they will work flawlessly every
time, no matter what the application. Whether you have a stock 88 incher or the most outrageous big
inch engine with a radical cam and spring combination, S&S tappets are built to take it. Sold as a set
of 4, HL2T kit included, requires the use of adjustable pushrods.
Note: All reference to H-D® part numbers is for identification purposes only. We in no way
are implying that any of S&S Cycle's products are original equipment parts or that they are
equivalent to the corresponding H-D® part number shown.” Q: Are there any other differences, which make Hylift-Johnson lifters
superior?
A: Yes. Because Hylift-Johnson lifters are made in the U.S, they are made
from superior material content, the Nickel & Moly content is higher than others
on the market including O.E.
For superior slow leak down and heavy valve spring pressures we
recommend part number A-2313S (twin-cam models)
A-2303 A-2313
Summary: If you want the best quality and less rattle,
insist on Hylift-Johnson lifters for your Harley!
Retail inc Dealer exc
A-2303S LIFTER EVO H/DUTY EACH 86.25 56.25
A-2303S/4 LIFTER EVO H/DUTY [SET 4] 345.00 180.00
A-2303/4 LIFTER EVO STANDARD [SET 4] 345.00 180.00
A-2313S LIFTER TWIN CAM H/DUTY EACH 86.25 56.25
A-2313S/4 LIFTER TWIN CAM H/DUTY [SET 4] 345.00 180.00
A-2313/4 LIFTER TWIN CAM STANDARD [SET 4] 345.00 180.00
NOTE: Heavy duty Hylift Johnson Lifters are suitable as stock OEM replacement as well as performance applications