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[Red Dragon]

Hey Again,

 New Member...
My Motor was built by unknown builder (I've already posted about my ordeal). The motor seems to be running fine. Rode to Sebring Yesterday Evening and Rode back this morning (put 279 more miles on her). Have a total of 759 miles since the build, now, but I'm totally NEW to all this stuff & I've been reading on here and doing other research today, and I'm kinda' concerned about a couple other things. It's an 01' CVO Dyna Wide Glide 2 w/ 88 Twin Cam and the original Cam Chain Tensioner Set-Up is still in there (SE 258 cams). I was wondering , FIRST..."IF" I should upgrade the tensioners, and IF SO, which one. I just learned that there's a S.E. 25284-11 (KIT) with a HIGHER FLOW OIL PUMP and HYD. tensioners instead of my old spring operated ones..Will that be the right kit for mine? If NOT, what? Also, It has OEM H-D Lifters...Should I have them changed also? I don't wanna' wait until it has problems "down the road". Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[timo482]

the problems with the old cam chain tensioners showed up by 20,000 miles - occasionally somebody got 60k before a failure.

there was another problem that was fixed by a "unlisted recall campaign" that changed out the outer rear bearing from a ball bearing to a roller bearing - but only when it failed. that recall is over if it fails now its your dime.

the best lifters were the b lifters - but there is no way to know what lifters you actually have. the very first lifters were a minor problem [would get noisy] then they did the b's and the b's lasted a very long time on a near stock bike.

the update kit changes out the cam plate, the oil pump, the tensioners and and includes new sprockets and bolts. [your bike may have a cam chain sensor in the cone cover that was eliminated very early - if it has the sensor then you have to keep using the old front chain] the kit contains the new front chain and sprocket that get used in 90 percent of the bikes updated. its a VERY good fix - have the inner bearings updated at the same time - they are super cheap.

for peace of mind you can do it all at once - that will also let you know what else is going on - however its *almost* a cinch that it would go at least 8000 miles as is. the reasons to seriously consider doing it right away really amount to the new cam - bikes with a higher lift cam had the earliest cases of bearing and tensioner problems. if my wife told me to take it in and have the update done - considering your recent shade tree experience and your lack of long time harley experience id just go have the update installed. if the bike has b lifters KEEP THEM. you have a mostly stock engine - its pretty cheap to have a hd reman done if it fails - id do the update and ride it 90000 miles and when it gets tired do the factory reman. its hard to beat the factory reman and its low risk low fuss and carries a new engine warranty.

the high end high performance mods listed on this site and most others are mostly for those with the financial fortitude to take a completely blown engine every so often as a "opportunity for more mods" rather than a "financial melt down"

to

[Red Dragon]

Wow, what a great (and easy to understand) reply. Thank you. My wife stood right here and read it too. Taking it in Tues. They're closed tomorrow. I love my little RED TRACTOR.

Thanks again.

[silverone]

What he said, but if your crank is with in tolerance, run out that is gear drive cams would give you more peace of mind j.m.o.

[silverone]

I'm sure your shady mechanic didn't bother changing the cam bearings you need to get in there to know for sure!

[Red Dragon]

Silverone,

Thanks, and NO, he did not change the tensioners...Part of the 3 page note the builder left me when he closed up his shop. It said, "Think about changing your cam chain tensioners. The one's you have are old crap, and will get you down the road". Didn't know what he was talking about, so I researched here (my favorite forum, by far). Like I keep saying...I'M learning.

 Thanks EVERYBODY for all the help.This old "Goober" has NO IDEA WHAT HE'S DOING.  Probably shoulda' just left it alone, and left it stock OEM, but I had all the parts up in my garage loft from when I bought my 1st FXDWG2 back in 00 (about $3000 in SE Stuff) and never had 'em installed before I traded her for the Ultra Classic in '03. I know they would have been hard to sell, and I really wanted my friends to quit calling it a "tractor". I just should have been a little more thoughtful about who I had do the work. It is still running good though. I'M CERTAINLY NOT LOOKING FOR A "PRO STREET HOT ROD"....Just wanna' have something a little more than a stock 88, that'll be fairly reliable and not be having to be "re-something-ed" every other week. I don't go on long rides (1 tank's worth is about all I can take anymore in a day) as it is NOT a tourer. Been there, Done that.

Old and Lazy...Just want a "cool" Harley to ride, during my retirement years...NO GOLF for me....I'm 65 and still playing drums in a ROCK band. I don't ever wanna' grow up. 

[silverone]

[quote + 1 on that, wife already told me were not to age gracefully that's why were riding to Sturgis again this year 2400 miles there and back 1000+ in the black hills!  Join us? btw she rides her own!

Old and Lazy...Just want a "cool" Harley to ride, during my retirement years...NO GOLF for me....I'm 65 and still playing drums in a ROCK band. I don't ever wanna' grow up. 
[/quote]

[twistedcherokee]

I got 50K out of two sets of tensioners. The first set were worn about 1/8" second set was about 1/32"
Unfortunately I found a bad cam.

 Going Andrews Gear drive 37G's with Chevy lifters. Just tossed between the 850-1 V Thunder by Comp Cams, Crane 10530's or Chevy's Hi Performance lifters.

  Toby