When did the "C" lifters stop becoming a problem in twin cams? I hear horror stories of the "C" lifters in the earlier year bikes that got them, but don't hear much about the later years. Is it just me, or did something change, and if so, when?
OE lifters are still a problem. Friend just had a cam installed in a M8, the lifter rollers were "frosted" with 6000 miles. Was a good catch. Personally, I change them right off the showroom floor.
Tappets are as bad now as they ever were. Add to that the sloppy tappet bore alignment on M8 cases, and you have more than a few early failures.
These came out of a 2019 at 1000 miles. Its just frosting at this point, but its also the hard finish already leaving the roller.
(https://i.imgur.com/TRls7XF.jpg)
Hint, there never was a hard finish, just a spec that called for it. :wink:
Doesn't that "frosting" end the camshafts life as well, or just the lifter?
Given enough time it will.
2019 cvo limited
29000 miles
Normal wear.
Normal wear?
Quote from: Propflux01 on May 25, 2021, 06:15:59 PM
Normal wear?
Yeah, it's a Harley-Davidson!
:potstir:
That is crazy. Seems lots of cams/lifters on the newer bikes would be toasting left and right, I see the examples here, but I don't seem to hear much about it. Not many threads, etc. just strange. I've got a 2015 FLD, and a brand new set of 4 Johnson Hylifts I had for an earlier project that never happened. I guess it's time to put them to good use.
6400 Miles Left, front cyl. right, rear cyl.
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They will run like that a hell of a long time. Only time they get changed is after the bearings fail.
Just replaced the original B lifters in my 04 RK with 118,000 miles. They looked a little better than those but changed them before issues with bearings as Don said.
I'm at 90,000 on a set of Bs. Many many high rpm runs.
Bought a used bike with 18,000 miles on it, the C lifters were noisy, changed to S&S standard lifters, 30,000 miles on them and doing fine.
Replaced those 118K B lifters with a new set of B lifters I bought a decade ago. Hopefully I won't be changing them again. :smilep:
I pulled a set from a 2015 FLHTCU @ 9,000 miles. They were frosted a bit and ticking at times. Installed S&S for peace of mind. I ran Harley B tappets on a Wood TW6-G for 40,000+ miles with no issues.
Well, the Hi-lifts are installed and running fine so far. Peace of mind, I hope!
Quote from: 04rkryder on June 01, 2021, 02:42:47 PM
Replaced those 118K B lifters with a new set of B lifters I bought a decade ago. Hopefully I won't be changing them again. :smilep:
:up: B lifters being the best there ever was
I have a set of lifters I took out of a 2001 Sportster 1200 @ 1000 miles to replace with Screaming Eagle lifters. They have been on the shelf in a jar of oil for the last 20 years. Are they the B lifters ?
Quote from: twincamzz on June 02, 2021, 03:44:26 AM
I have a set of lifters I took out of a 2001 Sportster 1200 @ 1000 miles to replace with Screaming Eagle lifters. They have been on the shelf in a jar of oil for the last 20 years. Are they the B lifters ?
The 2001 FLT parts manual shows 18538-99 No letters after the PN. 20 years ago. I'd guess from that yours are not "B"
Quote from: motorhogman on June 02, 2021, 07:37:04 AM
Quote from: twincamzz on June 02, 2021, 03:44:26 AM
I have a set of lifters I took out of a 2001 Sportster 1200 @ 1000 miles to replace with Screaming Eagle lifters. They have been on the shelf in a jar of oil for the last 20 years. Are they the B lifters ?
The 2001 FLT parts manual shows 18538-99 No letters after the PN. 20 years ago. I'd guess from that yours are not "B"
So, does that mean these would be better than the "C" lifter ?
I have a 2013 FLD with 21,000 miles on it & this thread got me thinking that maybe I should remove the "C" lifters that are in there now & possibly replace them with these.
If i was using 20yo lifters i would take them apart and clean them.
Quote from: twincamzz on June 02, 2021, 11:25:00 AM
Quote from: motorhogman on June 02, 2021, 07:37:04 AM
Quote from: twincamzz on June 02, 2021, 03:44:26 AM
I have a set of lifters I took out of a 2001 Sportster 1200 @ 1000 miles to replace with Screaming Eagle lifters. They have been on the shelf in a jar of oil for the last 20 years. Are they the B lifters ?
The 2001 FLT parts manual shows 18538-99 No letters after the PN. 20 years ago. I'd guess from that yours are not "B"
So, does that mean these would be better than the "C" lifter ?
I have a 2013 FLD with 21,000 miles on it & this thread got me thinking that maybe I should remove the "C" lifters that are in there now & possibly replace them with these.
Hard to say if they are any better.. Mine were replaced under warranty. They would clack like crazy sometimes. I don't recall the miles but it was within the first year i had the bike.
Quote from: HD Street Performance on June 02, 2021, 11:43:59 AM
If i was using 20yo lifters i would take them apart and clean them.
Odds are they will stay on the shelf but if I ever decide to use them I will certainly follow this advice. :up: