Cam Chain Tensioner

[elPrez]

Well, I'm pretty happy. I had been concerned about the cam chain tensioner shoes since I have 33,xxx miles on my 05. I bought it used a little over two years ago (w/ 19,xxx on it) and figured since I was heading to Herdstock and Bar Harbor this season, sure as shit the shoes would need replacing. Also figured it wouldn't be bad enough to be covered by the extended warranty but enough that I'd be worried the whole time I was more than 100 miles from home.
Popped the cam cover off and was quite pleased at the condition of the outer shoe. Almost looks new and from what I could see of the rear (I'm not a dentist but played one in my garage) it looked just as good.
Gonna put it all back together and not think about it for another 30K:gee
John

[Crocodile56]

That goes to show you how important it is to keep your oil clean and fresh!

[Blackdog 15]

Well, I'm pretty happy. I had been concerned about the cam chain tensioner shoes since I have 33,xxx miles on my 05. I bought it used a little over two years ago (w/ 19,xxx on it) and figured since I was heading to Herdstock and Bar Harbor this season, sure as shit the shoes would need replacing. Also figured it wouldn't be bad enough to be covered by the extended warranty but enough that I'd be worried the whole time I was more than 100 miles from home.
Popped the cam cover off and was quite pleased at the condition of the outer shoe. Almost looks new and from what I could see of the rear (I'm not a dentist but played one in my garage) it looked just as good.
Gonna put it all back together and not think about it for another 30K:gee
John

Number one....I don't think I would wait another 30K miles to check it....you can do the hydraulic upgrade that is supposed to take a lot of the wear problems away...(parts from Harley)....and the rear tensioner always wears more than the outer....My outer looked great at 23K, but couldn't really get a good look at the inner one, kinda makes me wonder...I am plannin to go with the gear drive cam swap this summer and not deal with it any more...am going with S&S 510 gear drives....also going to install a Feuling cam plate & oil pump at the same time along with my 95 inch big bore kit I already have in hand....GOOD oil has a lot to do with keeping wear to a minimum...I am using Mobil 1 synthetic and am very pleased with it's oiling properties along with how well it cuts heat in the oil...I use 2 oil coolers and an unthermostated JAGG oil filter adapter along with a Purepower lifetime oil filter...Our trip to Laughlin was my big shakedown ride on my cooling system....Got a twin cam that runs Evo temperatures.....I'm as happy as a pig in poop.... :)

[elPrez]

Yeah, I don't think I'll really wait another 30k to look again and I'll probably do the hydraulic switchover when I have a few spare coins laying around...or get it to fail before April of 2012 when the extended warranty runs out.

I run Amsoil 20-50 and change it twice a year, usually the beginning of the season and in the fall.

[Blackdog 15]

Yeah, I don't think I'll really wait another 30k to look again and I'll probably do the hydraulic switchover when I have a few spare coins laying around...or get it to fail before April of 2012 when the extended warranty runs out.

I run Amsoil 20-50 and change it twice a year, usually the beginning of the season and in the fall.

Amsoil is good oil....and for the price of a gasket, it is worth the look...

[Paladin]

I need to take a peek at mine. I would like to go BD's route and go with the 95" kit w/ gear cams. The only thing stopping me is money!!! Maybe PFD (the Alaskan's know what I'm talking about!) time this fall...

[Strat HD]

Number one....I don't think I would wait another 30K miles to check it....you can do the hydraulic upgrade that is supposed to take a lot of the wear problems away...(parts from Harley)....and the rear tensioner always wears more than the outer....My outer looked great at 23K, but couldn't really get a good look at the inner one, kinda makes me wonder...I am plannin to go with the gear drive cam swap this summer and not deal with it any more...am going with S&S 510 gear drives....also going to install a Feuling cam plate & oil pump at the same time along with my 95 inch big bore kit I already have in hand....GOOD oil has a lot to do with keeping wear to a minimum...I am using Mobil 1 synthetic and am very pleased with it's oiling properties along with how well it cuts heat in the oil...I use 2 oil coolers and an unthermostated JAGG oil filter adapter along with a Purepower lifetime oil filter...Our trip to Laughlin was my big shakedown ride on my cooling system....Got a twin cam that runs Evo temperatures.....I'm as happy as a pig in poop.... :)

Hey black go with some good heads too if ya can. Shortly after I bought my 02 FLHT I went with S&S geardrive, red shift cams, delkron cam plate, feuling oil pump, mikuni carb, 95" and screaming eagle heads. With a thunder header I'm pushing 98 hp. and 102 tq. Probably could get some more hp. if I ever take it to a good tuner.

[Blackdog 15]

Hey black go with some good heads too if ya can. Shortly after I bought my 02 FLHT I went with S&S geardrive, red shift cams, delkron cam plate, feuling oil pump, mikuni carb, 95" and screaming eagle heads. With a thunder header I'm pushing 98 hp. and 102 tq. Probably could get some more hp. if I ever take it to a good tuner.

I agree good heads would help...have been putting this swap together on the low so far....got the 1550 complete SE kit for $200 & traded my way into a set of 96 inch takeoff cylinders from a Harley dealer for some welding they needed. Cylinders look new on the inside. maybe 1K miles on them....Were takeoffs for a dealer big bore swap....Have a local shop that will bore them for $110 for the set.....am getting my cams, etc through a buddy's shop at cost also.

[Strat HD]

Cool.. Definitely saving some bucks..