Replacing cam shaft bearings

If you're going to do this yourself get the Service Manual before proceeding past cam cover removal.

There are two things that typically go wrong in the cam chest

1) Bearings, two in cam plate (original HD design 99 and early 00s') the rear bearing needed to be replaced due to the type of bearing with cage failing, and two in the case. If you are this far in replace all four

(Tools, bearing removal tool for bearings in chest, press with enough pressure to get cams out of bearings from cam plate, press in new bearings in cam plate and tool to put bearings in case properly.)

2) Tensioner shoes, HD used a super strong tensioner spring which JMO was the problem, the new 06 and up have a hydraulic light spring tensioner.

(Tools, tensoner tool to take pressure off chains, or a big flat screwdriver and a pin to lock the tensioner in place plus a Jesus clip removal tool (As in "Jesus christ where'd the heLL'd that clip go)

First thing I'd do is Inspect the cam chest visually for damage and broken parts:

You need to drop the front exhaust, floorboard and cam cover, be ready for oil to come out so put the pan under it and some rags on the frame and do an inspection.

The two tensioners are orange plastic shoes on arms one in front and one in back, you obviously can see the front one, the back probably not. If it is still there it's probably worn half way though, they may be completely gone and the tensioner arm running on the chains. If they are gone and it's running on the chain this might be your problem.

If you want to go farther into the cam chest it's not complicated but its a bit more expensive and time consuming than just bearings and a gasket.

You need to remove the pushrods to take the tension off the tappets and cams, also you need to align the cams so it's at TDC. (Assuming you may or may not know what that is.

(Tools: something to hold up lifters, bolt cutters if you cut the pusrods out and replace with HD Time Saver Pushrods)

With an 00 I would absolutely replace all the lifters, the designed changed after 00 and the new "b" meaning the suffix on the lifter PN from HD are very good and the ones you want.

There are some cam bearing puller and press tools, you'll need a press to put the bearings in the cam plate, or, freeze the bearings for a couple of hours, then heat the cam plate lightly around the bearing surface, pull out a frozen bearing and drop it in, should fall right into the hole in the cam plate.

Although you will still need to press the cams into the bearings, so you could freeze the cams and lightly heat the inner race of the bearing but thats risking the bearing.

If you don't have the proper tools to support the bearing races inner race then I'd take the cam plate to a shop to press in for you.

You need the SM, and the parts manual, make a list of the parts, get them all and then see if you have the tools to do the job.

You will also have oil pump o-rings to replace, and you need to know how to align the oil pump properly or you'll end up with oil blowby which happens on extended higher speed runs (70 to 80 mph) you need evo tappet block alignment tools or you need to know how to do it without them.

Anyway I didn't want it to sound like you took the cover off and replaced a light bulb, but it's not rocket science either, knowing what to do and having the tools makes it easier. If you have a friend that's done this all the better to buy him a steak and beer and cigar or whatever it takes to get help.

Otherwise, hate to say it but if you're not comfortable, write the check and I agree, drop in a set of mild stree cams, why the heck not, you've spent the money on parts and labor to get this far, you're just a set of cams away.

On a stock 88 in my favorite order

Woods W-6 more tq faster better than the rest
SNS 510
Andrews tw26
SE 204

Ok now that the cams are out, you do know you're just a few bolts away from a 95 inch motor, ok first you............

hrk is good info!!!!! and remember, were here if ya need some help.

Yes and no, Yes you can put it in the older cases, no you can't retrofit it to the existing cam plate, you'd need the new cam plate, then you'll need new 06 (dyna only in 06) and up cams.

the new cam plate has no rotating bearings, they are the same as the machined bearings in a crankcase on a car. The cam ends float in oil. Much easier and nicer than the old stuff but you will be replacing everything, if you are going to upgrade cams from stock then you might consider it. Otherwise it's cheaper to polish the outside edge of cam chains and put in new tensioner pads or go gear drive.

BTW the newer HD motors have more "acceptable" runout at the crank making gear driven cams almost impossible. With the new chain system it's not really that big a problem.