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[Magnumeng]

Decided to open up my 88 to check the cam tensioners after 31000 miles. Front one did not look to bad, but the back one def need to be changed. Did not expect to take the tank and valve covers off, but the damn lifters would not stay high enough to put the cams back in. So what I thought would be a 3 hour job took about 7.  Just glad it fired on the first try.

Harley tech guy kept stopping by saying that I needed special tools and he only charges 70 bucks an hour.  It is going to cost you more since I was not using the special tools. Glad he was around to give his opinion. Job done with no special tools and not 70 bucks an hour.

[Twolanerider]

Just to change the tensioners you can get by without any special tools.  But spending $20US might have saved you that extra four hours. 

Harley part number 93979-10 is a lifter tool.  Just a pair of horseshoe shaped magnets to hold the lifters up.  Cheap and really worth it when nothing else will help with the same job.

Aftermarket versions of the same tool are commonly on eBay for around the same price.  Picture attached to give an idea of what's used.

[Thermodyne]

Paper clips and rubber bands work well too.  Just bend the paper clip so as to be able to hook the retainer clip in the lifter, then hang em up off the TB with the bands.

[Magnumeng]

Thanks for the ideas for the next time i have to change them out.

[Mr John DEUFF]

Just to change the tensioners you can get by without any special tools.  But spending $20US might have saved you that extra four hours. 

Harley part number 93979-10 is a lifter tool.  Just a pair of horseshoe shaped magnets to hold the lifters up.  Cheap and really worth it when nothing else will help with the same job.

Aftermarket versions of the same tool are commonly on eBay for around the same price.  Picture attached to give an idea of what's used.

But to put this tool you still need to remove the pushrod no?

[Twolanerider]

But to put this tool you still need to remove the pushrod no?

Yes that is true.  Pushrods need to be removed. 

[Mr John DEUFF]

So you still need to remove the tank and open the rocker cover if you don't have adjustable pushrod...

[lonewolf55]

I still like to remove and inspect the lifters.

[sadunbar]

So you still need to remove the tank and open the rocker cover if you don't have adjustable pushrod...

correct...