Ok Cam Question

Energy One
welder198

welder198

Member
Ok lately the Ole Dog has been getting a loud valve/lifter sound at around 2700 RPM. So while I had it in for some routine maint. asked them to check this out also. Just got a call that the rear pushrods are not traveling up and down as far as the front cylinder. Tells me there is a large chance that the cam lobes have been washed off on the rear cylinder. Has anyone else had this type of problem? Might be an early upgrade to the 585 Cam.
 
john sachs

john sachs

Well-Known Member
Not common, but it does happen. I'm sure they checked that the pushrods didn't loosen up. If they disassemble, take a picture and post it.
Also if the intake cam lobe is worn your compression should be higher in that cylinder.( intake valve closes earlier) :eek:
John
 
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bigdogtech01

Well-Known Member
Yeah I would talk with John if you can. Make sure the shop is not taking advantage of you. Maybe it just needs a set of lifters. Either way, might be a good time for a cam upgrade.
Also, how old is the motor oil? Type your using? Have you pulled the tappet screen to make sure it's not plugged?
 
welder198

welder198

Member
Very trusted Mechanic, He is in process of tearing it down now. I keep Amsoil in it and change it at regular intervals of 750 miles. Have noticed a slight loss of power over last few months. So will know more soon as it is disassembled. Thanks for the help, Mechanic has also been in contact with S&S also.
 
Th3InfamousI

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
Every 750 miles? No offense but you are throwing money away...Amsoil full synt is good for 5,000 miles EASY. I wouldn't knock you for doing it around 3-3,500 but 750? Man
 
welder198

welder198

Member
Damn forgot to proof read, was supposed to be 1,750. Don't know what happened there. Was planning to go to 3,000 miles after this service.
 
Brew

Brew

Troop Supporter
Just a thought but, did he mention anything about a possible collapsed lifter???
 
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bigdogtech01

Well-Known Member
In my opinion, AMSOIL is the worst oil you can run in an "American Style" V-twin. I have seen many premature lifter and cam failures, and all were using Amsoil. It's so slippery that the rollers on the lifters actually slide on the lobes of the cam rather than roll. It's ok to us use in a plain bearing motor, but not roller bearing...that's my .02 cents.
 
pknowles

pknowles

RETIRED
bigdogtech01 said:
In my opinion, AMSOIL is the worst oil you can run in an "American Style" V-twin. I have seen many premature lifter and cam failures, and all were using Amsoil. It's so slippery that the rollers on the lifters actually slide on the lobes of the cam rather than roll. It's ok to us use in a plain bearing motor, but not roller bearing...that's my .02 cents.
Click to expand...
Damn Andrew, after reading as much as I could on different motor oils, it seems that I picked the worst of the synthetics. What's my options.
 
john sachs

john sachs

Well-Known Member
bigdogtech01 said:
In my opinion, AMSOIL is the worst oil you can run in an "American Style" V-twin. I have seen many premature lifter and cam failures, and all were using Amsoil. It's so slippery that the rollers on the lifters actually slide on the lobes of the cam rather than roll. It's ok to us use in a plain bearing motor, but not roller bearing...that's my .02 cents.
Click to expand...
NOOOOOOOOOO such thing as an oil being too slippery !!!!!! :eek:
Nothing wrong with Amsoil (pricey). I do tons of Harley, S&S, Ultima builds, and never found or seen a problem from using Amsoil. NO LIFTER problems. NO CAM problems. NO PISTON/RING problems, NO FLYWHEEL problems. :confused:
I don't use Amsoil, but a lot of my customers do.
John
"Oil being too slippery". That's like the old wives tale "If you pulled your pin, you'd grow hair on your hand". :loony:
 
welder198

welder198

Member
Turns out to be a bad lifter. I am going to go ahead and put the 585 cam in while it is torn down just to get a little more power.
 
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bigdogtech01

Well-Known Member
Maybe too slippery is the wrong terminology. But regardless, I have seen it many times in these motors. Ask some the R&D guys with S&S or Patrick Racing and see what they say about it. If it was me running a normal street bike, I would run conventional 20/50 and change it every 2000 miles.
 
francoblay1

francoblay1

The Spaniard
After reading lots in this Forum about which oil is best I decided it was AMSOIL... I had to make many inquiries to find it in Europe after the only Spanish importer closed his business... now I have it sent to me from Ireland... Most of Harley owners I know are also using AMSOIL and none had any problems with it.
 
Nukeranger

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
Mobile 1 and a scavenger unit from Mad Dog is all a person really needs. No matter what oil you use, it is going to get contaminated and dirty way before it loses its lubrication properties (assuming you use what is recommended for weight and properties).
 
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Bobby Shafto

Member
Hey John,
Not sure how to get to you but here it goes. 2005 S&S 117 Ridgeback, smog engine, hoping to get engine back to normal. hoping for a 585 cam, larger exhaust valves, S&S top end and zero deck. Can you help?

Bobby
 
francoblay1

francoblay1

The Spaniard
Send him a PM? that would be the easier way.

Click on his name and the click on "Send a Private Message"

ro go to his Profile page and then go to "Contact Info" John Sachs
 
john sachs

john sachs

Well-Known Member
Bobby,
I usually can do anything you need within reason.
Like Franco's post, PM me, and I'll respond.
John
 
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