Cam Installation

Harley-Davidson

Step by Step instructions for
Installing a Camshaft in your motorcycle
Page 2

Figure 2

The right side of you motorcycle should be pretty much clear of any clutter. It is important that you have unrestricted access the engine. The less you have in the way while you are working in the area of the camshaft, the easier your task will be.

Loosen the pushrod tubes by removing the spring cap retainer. The spring cap retainer is the small slotted chrome cover at the top of the pushrod tube. Use a medium flat blade screw driver to pop the retainer out of place. Push the upper pushrod tube down into the lower pushrod tube. Move the shortened pushrod tubes to the top of the pushrod and hold them is place with a plastic tie wrap or with a clothespin on the pushrod. This keeps the pushrod tubes out of the way while removing the pushrods.

At this point, there are three options available to you. The type of pushrods that are currently installed or if the pushrods are going to be changed will determine your next actions.

You have stock pushrods and are going to reuse them.

For bolt-in camshafts, it is not a requirement to adjustable pushrods. The OEM pushrods will work fine. You do have to remove the rocker boxes in order to remove the pushrods. To remove the rocker boxes:

	Drain the gas from the fuel tank
	Remove the gas tank. Remember to disconnect the electrical connections for the gauges or switches located on the tank.
	Remove the upper rocker box covers.
	Remove the lower rocker box.
	Remove the pushrods.
	Remove the pushrod tubes

You have stock pushrods are are going to replace them.

This method allows the rapid removal of the pushrods, but requires that adjustable pushrods be purchased. The cost of the new pushrods can be weighed against the time it takes to remove the rocker boxes.

	Using a set of bolt cutters, cut the old pushrods out. To keep particles of metal from getting into the engine, wrap shop rags around the tops of the lifter blocks, protecting the lifters.
	Remove the pushrod tubes.

You already have adjustable pushrods installed.

	Loosen the adjustable pushrods enough to allow removal of the pushrods. If the pushrods can not be adjusted short enough to remove them, you will have to remove the rocker boxes.
	Remove the pushrod tubes.

The right side of your engine should now look like Figure 2.