Front cam snap ring orientation?

[Dogman]

I'm putting in Andrews conversation cams and wondering which way the bowed snap ring for the front cam should go.

Hopefully, this picture shows up.  In the middle figure, if letters G & S where towards the cam cover, would this be the correct way?[attach=0]

[KEM]

Iirc, yes, just as it shows in Fig#3....G&S face to the cam cover. Manufacturing process creates a sharp edge on one side of the ring. That should be to the outside end of the cam facing the cam chest cover.

[koko3052]

Don't know which way the "bow" should go but look closely & put the "sharp" edge towards outside, or cam cover.

[fbn ent]

Yes....it is a fairly common mistake to do otherwise.

[Dogman]

From reading the paragraph on this link, the sharp edge isn't the issue, it's the bow taking up play.  So the question remains.

http://www.arconring.com/stamped-retaining-rings/bowed-external/

[joe_lyons]

Bow out

[rbabos]

Bow is not important as it pressures both ways and shouldn't be the reference. The sharp edge needs to be against the outer groove. If the rounded edge is is to the outside, this rounded section can act as a lead under pressure and the clip can be pushed off. Sharp edge, not going to happen.
Ron

[Ohio HD]

Bow is not important as it pressures both ways and shouldn't be the reference. The sharp edge needs to be against the outer groove. If the rounded edge is is to the outside, this rounded section can act as a lead under pressure and the clip can be pushed off. Sharp edge, not going to happen.
Ron

         

[Dogman]

Sharp edge out it is.  Guess I like to know why something has to be done a certain way.

[rbabos]

Sharp edge out it is.  Guess I like to know why something has to be done a certain way.

Yup, there's a reason for everything. The clip should also end up being slightly rotation resistant. If you expand them too much when installing them they lose this ability. They can be reformed if needed to a small degree but you can see the situation with a loose clip and the rounded edge placed in the thrust load and what could happen with both no/no's at the same time. Actually I've read of a couple falling off before.
Ron

[FSG]

[attach=0]

[BUBBIE]

In FSG's Picture? What side has of the lock has the Beveled edge? (shown correct Beveled side out on it TOO?)

Is it IN correct position for Both conversations ?

signed....BUBBIE

[Dogman]

Looks like FSG posted the definitive answer from a service manual.  I debated acquiring one, but between mine, forums, J&P video and SE kit instructions I had everything except this.  I had read somewhere about this and decided to ask after 10 minutes of reading search results.

Stopped at an Indy for an oxygen sensor plug yesterday and asked him.  He said he didn't think it mattered.  Previously he told me he "wouldn't put (my popular brand) cams in his bicycle" and that he wouldn't use a certain popular aftermarket tensioner shoe. When I asked him about what cams instead of ones I got, his answer was Fueling.  He recommended their $1700 complete kit and said he puts allot of them in.  I use him to to put tires on wheels that I take in and buy tires there since he's competitive.  Probably stay that way.

[fbn ent]

Get yourself an OEM Service Manual.... .

[Dogman]

I have the 2002 Service Manual, since that's year of my bike.  It didn't occur to me I needed this tidbit from a later manual until too late.

[Ohio HD]

[attach=0]

Well now I just feel dumb....     

                  After all I have one or two manuals around here to look at.....     

[jamminhd2000]

[attach=0]

FSG, Just curious were did this pic come from? Thanks...Jimmy

[14Frisco]

Try TT441, found at http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,11130.0.html

[FSG]

Yes from the TT

[smoserx1]

It didn't occur to me I needed this tidbit from a later manual until too late.

Wouldn't worry about that. I have a 99 and did conversion cams and I did not use a later manual either.  I believe I put the ring in the way FSG showed.  I mean that is the way you install a washer (with the rounded side facing you), so it seemed to be the logical way to me.

[joe_lyons]

[mberlin74]

Sorry to beat a dead horse but I have something to add.  I mainly surf and post on another site but often come here for info if something is not clear.  I came here the other day inquiring about this very topic.  FSG has a pic from a service manual that seems definitive.  I also have an HD service manual and mine says something completely different.  Mine says orientation is sharp side out.  Have you ever really tried to determine the sharp side.  It's more of a guess really.  If you look at it under a magnifying glass it's still not gleamingly obvious which is the sharp side.  In many cases by sliding your finger across it, you still cant rally say for sure which is the sharp edge.  Check out the attachment.

I called two large dealers and talked to mechanics at both.  One said it makes no difference which way you put it on and the other said adamantly concave side out towards the cover plate.  This is so annoying and one of those things that could be solved with a little more clarification from the MOCO.  This is a major component that can seriously f*@# stuff up if not done correctly.  So to sum things up we have.......

1) service manual showing convex side out towards the cover plate as in FSG's post
2) service manual showing sharp side out towards the cover plate as in my manual
3) HD mechanic saying it doesn't mater
4) HD mechanic saying concave sire out towards the cover plate

All four of these should be seen as definitive sources but all have different answers.  so WTF?  Just put it on and hope all is well?

[Admiral Akbar]

Would be nice to know the year..

Have you ever really tried to determine the sharp side.

Snap rings are die stamped.. Look at the flat part of each side. One will sort of be concave, and the other convex.. Concave side is the sharp side.

[mberlin74]

Sorry.  The manual is for a 2012 Heritage.
How did you find out about the concave side being the sharp side?  That theory would go along with my local dealer who's mechanic told me the same thing.  If that's the case I don't know why the MOCO wouldn't just say in the manual that the concave side faces out.  Then you have FSG's manual that says the convex side faced out.  Unless it changes depending on the bike and year but that doesn't seem likely.

[mberlin74]

Thanks. It seems like concave facing out is what i'm hearing the most.  Just to be clear thought, FSG's pic is showing the convex side out.  It states in his picture that #2 is the concave side and it's facing in towards the support plate.  So is the 2016 and the 2012 (my manual) different?  Am I missing something?