Inner cam bearing? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

jtmurph00 · 09-25-2009, 04:44 AM

So Ive read thru several previous threads and am now scared shitless about the inner cam bearing on my Evo (99 FXSTB, 34000 miles). How do I diferentiate between the stock or upgraded bearing? When I bought the bike the previous owner said he had SE cam in it but I didnt know about the bearing problem. Since the cam was changed can I assume the bearing was upgraded or should I get it checked? thanks

kemo · 09-25-2009, 07:04 AM

You should not assume anything.Only way to tell is to take it apart.

rcsoftail · 09-25-2009, 08:49 AM

The bad ina bearing has a bearing cage with a space between each bearing. The good torrington bearing does not have a bearing cage and has twice the bearings with the bearings resting against each other. The bearing issue was very well known by 1999, so if the mechanic was competent, they should have replaced the bearing. However, as kemo said, you can't assume anything.

I still have the trashed SE cam out of my 1995 softail that wasn't switched out by the dealer (Waterloo, Ia.), who lied to me. When I initially picked up the bike, I asked them if they replaced the bearing and they said it already had the good bearing in it. 10,000 miles later the bearing went and the dealer said that since the bearing replacement wasn't listed on the invoice, that they were not responsible. Never used that dealer again. The trashed cam makes a good bearing installer...

BaggerJockey · 09-25-2009, 10:21 AM

If you are mechanically able replace it yourself. I had mine go at 38000 and used a blind hole bearing puller from harbor freight and the old cam to install the new bearing, all said and done I had about $200 bucks into cam(EV27), bearing, gaskets etc.

You don't want the bearing to come apart, which could do alot of damage to the rest of the motor

jtmurph00 · 09-25-2009, 07:07 PM

Well, since oil changes and brake pads are my limit guess I should get it into a shop to be checked out. How many hours am I looking for say the inspection only (in case bearings are upgraded) or to replace the bearing?

wfolarry · 09-25-2009, 07:20 PM

If you have adjustable pushrods in there then it's not a big job. If they're stock then you have to take the rocker boxes off to get the cam out. Doubles your time & costs [gaskets etc.]. Or you can cut out the stock pushrods if you have them & put adjustables in on reassembly. A little peace of mind can get expensive.

jtmurph00 · 09-27-2009, 01:41 AM

Well, if Im gonna be going that far might as well do a stroker kit while its opened up : )

kemo · 09-27-2009, 06:15 AM

Do you now what a stroker is. It is a lot more money than peanuts. Pull the engine and split the cases, replace the crank with a stroker crank and rods and pistons. If you do this then you go big bore and then high flow heads and roller rockers. $10,000 bucks later you have a stroker.

Dan89FLSTC · 09-27-2009, 09:35 AM

Don`t tell the shop to inspect the bearing, tell them to replace it. No sense going in that far just to look...

However, if you are willing to tackle the job yourself you can save enough money to cover the cost of a good set of adjustable pushrods and a service manual.

Lots of folks here willing to walk you through the job.

springer- · 09-27-2009, 10:45 AM

Just and FYI. Here is a thread discussing the differences ... http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/tw...ifference.html

Dan89FLSTC · 09-27-2009, 02:40 PM

That discussion was for the INA bearings used in Twin Cam engines.
I don`t think the INA bearing used on the Twin Cam engines is the same as the INA used in the later Evo engines.

If I remember correctly, the INA bearing used in the Evo engines had a plastic cage and about half as many needles.

springer- · 09-27-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC

That discussion was for the INA bearings used in Twin Cam engines.
I don`t think the INA bearing used on the Twin Cam engines is the same as the INA used in the later Evo engines.

If I remember correctly, the INA bearing used in the Evo engines had a plastic cage and about half as many needles.

The bearing designs are exactly the same. The only difference is the diameter of the bearings which effects the number of rollers in the bearing. All the information applies.

aharp · 09-27-2009, 06:36 PM

with those kinda miles it's time to drop in a set of lifters anyway

jtmurph00 · 09-30-2009, 02:10 AM

Thanks for the tips. When I get home I'll read thru the service manual and see how it looks. Oil changes and brake pads are usually my limit and, it wouldnt be the first time I took the bike apart myself and it wound up at the shop via a trailer.