HarleyTechTalk

I tore apart my engine 2 weeks ago, its sits around with the HD B lifter still on it sitting on the cam with the top end removed. Yesterday when I had some free time and started disassembling my old style camplate for a '07 style cam system, I noticed a big bad chunk of rusty looking gunk on the top side of one of my B lifters. I cleaned it with gasoline and WD40, and noticed a small discoloration where the pushrod supposed to sit on the lifter.
Is it still usable? The discoloration came from a very minor oxidation, the surface is still perfectly shaped. Should I just replace the lifter or keep on using it? I also never soak the lifters on oil after I tore down the engine, also got em intermixed (forgot to mark where each goes originally. How do you tell if a lifter is broken or nearing its usage limit?

You don't say how many miles on it so in my opinion, when in doubt, change it out. Cheap insurance and your all ready in there.

only 16000 miles. physically all the lifters are in perfect shape. I am just concerned because of the big rust like gunk I found on one of the lifter top yesterday. If I messed up and forgot to mark each lifter's original place, what is going to happen? I read in the service manual that I am supposed to mark the location on each lifter before taking these out.

Quote from: uwiik on November 18, 2009, 09:50:31 AM
only 16000 miles. physically all the lifters are in perfect shape. I am just concerned because of the big rust like gunk I found on one of the lifter top yesterday. If I messed up and forgot to mark each lifter's original place, what is going to happen? I read in the service manual that I am supposed to mark the location on each lifter before taking these out.

The lifter rollers get a "wear pattern" that matches the "wear pattern" of the cam lobe.  Mixing them up after they have some miles on them can result in less than full contact between the roller and the cam lobe.  This potentially can also increase the wear rate.

While they probably are fine, I agree with "their cheap - just replace them.."

Just spent $1200 on parts and my labor to fix what one broken lifter caused. Replace them.

 
Get a new set. Especially if your using new or performance valve springs.

Damn!! Should've listened to Herko. I just bought my 07 style cam conversion. He suggested to buy a new B lifters together with the kit,  but I declined thinking that why fix something that's not broken.

uwiik,

You've been given good advise.  Unfortunately, I learned the hard way.  I've had a lifter fail on two or three occasions, each time it cost about  $1,300.  I've been lucky I didn't loose the engine.  Now I automatically change them at 20-25,000 miles like a maintenance item.  What's $120 for lifters compared to $1,300 or maybe an engine.

Quote from: uwiik on November 18, 2009, 06:38:11 PM
Damn!! Should've listened to Herko. I just bought my 07 style cam conversion. He suggested to buy a new B lifters together with the kit,  but I declined thinking that why fix something that's not broken.

So what?  Just buy a set of lifters and put them in.  It does not matter if the bike is fully assembled.  Changing lifters in a twin cam is very easy and quick.

, Yes in deed spring pressure does increase load on the lifter bearings , not like the cars that these are running in , with less pressure, so what we do , nothing , just change them out after a period of time ,bee hives will need less , but the high lift cams , well ,more so , a little dia roller with a small amount of needles  ,just does add up ,do we go back to the old flat face lifter that rotates ,count the needles and see the pressure on may be two bottom ones and two top ones on spring full pressure, yes it does spread over distance ,only to redo it again, good post ,

Quote from: Evo160K on November 18, 2009, 08:16:36 PM
uwiik,

You've been given good advise.  Unfortunately, I learned the hard way.  I've had a lifter fail on two or three occasions, each time it cost about  $1,300.  I've been lucky I didn't loose the engine.  Now I automatically change them at 20-25,000 miles like a maintenance item.  What's $120 for lifters compared to $1,300 or maybe an engine.

$19.00 each from  Chicago Harley.

Bought a new B lifters set today... I have Stage II upgrade (95"), stock ported head, 07 cam system with Andrew's 26N cam. With this upgrade, how long is the life expectancy on my new lfters??

Quote from: uwiik on November 19, 2009, 06:57:15 AM
Bought a new B lifters set today... I have Stage II upgrade (95"), stock ported head, 07 cam system with Andrew's 26N cam. With this upgrade, how long is the life expectancy on my new lfters??

Interesting question that I'm wondering about too. I suppose riding style can make a big difference, as well as cam lift etc. Mine have been in >100K miles with no obvious problems but I think I should probably replace them as preventative maintenance when I convert my FI to carb this winter. Mine has had a 21G cam (with adjustable push rods) for the last 50K and rarely sees 4500 rpm.

My cam, SE-57, has .575 lift and medium spring pressure.  I see 4,800+ from time to time.  I'll never let them go past 25,000 miles again, just not worth it.

26k is when the piece of crap SE lifters ($280) quit.

20k from now on. I got .650 lift (at valves) on HTCC CNC stock springs (175lbs measured installed height)

I inspect my lifters every winter...  Usually change them between 10K and 15K - whether they need it or not....

(hell, it's winter up here in the frigid north - got to do something!)