07 Cam Swap differences? - Harley Forum

03fxst · #1 10-27-2008, 07:13 PM

Hey guys. What are the major differences in swapping a set of Cams on an '07 as oposed to my '03. A friend wants to change his and he asked me to sit in since I've done mine. I have the Cam chain tensioner tool I bought for mine. Is it the same tool? What about the gear locking tool? I know Harley changed the shoes and or the chain to make the shoes last longer. Anything else in there been changed, replaced or dramatically altered?

03FXST

Wrightturn · #2 10-27-2008, 08:25 PM

Hey 03,

Haven`t done one yet but have been asked. Looking at gear drive conversion as well as tensioner replacement. The tools are different. Check out Georges Garage and Jims. Without outer cam bearings to deal with the job should be easier. The inner bearings are larger but you can still swap to Torrington. Different bearing puller and bearing press.

Check out Andrews products installation pages.

03fxst · #3 11-02-2008, 11:54 AM

I checked the Andrews site. It lists the part number for the gear locking tool but makes no mention of the tensioner tool. Just says remove the tnesioners as per manual. The Andrews instructions say those familiar with changing cams in earlier Twin Cams will find it much easier in the 07 but doesn't say why. There is also no mention of needing a press to remove/install the new cams. The spacer/shim directions are the same as with my 03. Oil pump alignment is mentioned but not outlined.

03FXST

Wrightturn · #4 11-02-2008, 12:52 PM

Hey 03,

The new tensioners should not need to be "unloaded" to be removed. The new system will not exert nearly as much pressure on the chains. Combine this with a chain that is less likely to tear up the tensioner and the new system may prove to be reliable. Without outer cam bearings there is no need for a press. Sounds easier. Oil pump alignment will be the same. The SE cam bearing plate will allow the new high volume oil pump to be used on the TC88 yet the instructions are the same. Since it is the same pump that comes in the TC96 installation should be the same. I will have the manual for the TC96 next month. After I purchase a puller and installation press for the inner bearings I should be good to go.
I am not sure the tensioners on the TC96 provide the same reason for a gear drive conversion. Do we really need to be rid of the tensioners ? If we go with stronger valve springs will the tensioners fail ? I think the conversion is more a case for knowing what works than trusting the new system not to fail. When I do the gear drive conversion I will use the SE plate that at least has a bushing.

03fxst · #5 11-03-2008, 06:00 PM

Thanks Wrightturn that does sound easier. I thought we'd have to take the Cam support plate and Cams to a dealer to be pressed. His is a low mileage bike, should we still swap the inner bearings? I went to the torringtons on mine and told him he should as well. Is that overkill? George's Garage has the press and puller tools and they aren't too expensive, could be absorbed as part of the project cost.

03FXST

Wrightturn · #6 11-03-2008, 07:10 PM

Hey 03,

The bearings are cheap and you are in there anyway. I change them any time I have the cam chest open. The bearings are larger than TC88 bearings but it is an easy upgrade as you know. If you are converting to gear drive the kit I looked at had Torringtons in it. No, you probably don`t have to but......

03fxst · #7 11-23-2008, 08:17 AM

Thanks again Wrighturn
We did change the bearings and the over swap is much easier with the new set-up. Tensioners come off easy, cams slip out and new cams slide right in. He got the install tools from Geroge's garage and that made it even easier. We did get stopped cold by the rear cam sproket spacer though. When I did mine the tollerence was fine but when we checked his the gap between the crank sproket and rear cam sproket was well over the .010 inch limit. He's ordering the spacer kit to adjust it. Why does that change when swapping one HD cam set to another? Stock to SE is the same way I went without the gap change.

03FXST

Wrightturn · #8 11-23-2008, 06:00 PM

Hey 03,

The SE cams are used in bikes from different production runs. Easier to go undersize and shim your way back into spec. Some day when everything is cad/cam may not be necessary. I had the same question years ago on air cooled VW crank shafts when setting end play.