Solid lifters

[TazzinTroll]

Some one I know wants to change to solid lifters He has a 78 shovel head 1340 80". Any advice and how many flats to adjust?

[nmaineron]

You don't adjust to the flat.Put lifter at its lowest position and adjust the rod so that you can spin the rod with just a hint of resistance.

Solids work but the hydraulics are far better in my opinion unless he is building an all out drag machine.

I would also think about getting a cam that is ground for solids.

78-80 hmmm

[atrick]

If you put the solids in tap and thread the oil holes for the hydralic lifters so you can plug them with allen screws, keeps your push rod tubes and rocker boxes from filling up with oil and keeps the oil pressure up in the lower end where you need it, Been running solids in my 78 superglide since 79 and have had zero problems with them, also running a Andrews B grind to go along with them

[FXRider]

Hello, I'm the one with the '78 Shovel going to solid's. Just joined the site after bein told about it.
I've done allot of checking and have found both "pro's and con's" on going to solid lifter's. But, the "pro's" outway the "con's" so far. To clear things up, my hydraulic lifter's went "south" on me so I got the hydraulic to solid conversion sleeve's, (much cheaper than tryin ta come up with the $ for new hydro's). I have already noticed a huge difference with easier starting, more stable idle and of course, the exceptionally quick throttle response. The downside I heard from one "gentleman" is that at a high RPM the "lash" increases causing more noise and a "pounding" on the valve train? His word's, not mine. With the weather, ice and snow, I havent been able to get her out for a good "test" run yet.Can anyone clear this up for me? Also, until I have put a few miles on this Shovel I havent "plugged" the oiler holes in the tappet's and am wondering if this is really necessary? Since the head's, (ie. valves, rocker's etc.), are oiled by the external oil lines I can see no reason why the lower end oil pressure would drop.
Can someone explain this to me also?
Or, am I just "floggin a dead horse"?
Thanks in advance,
FXRider

[strokerjlk]

Originally Posted by FXRider

Hello, I'm the one with the '78 Shovel going to solid's. Just joined the site after bein told about it.
I've done allot of checking and have found both "pro's and con's" on going to solid lifter's. But, the "pro's" outway the "con's" so far. To clear things up, my hydraulic lifter's went "south" on me so I got the hydraulic to solid conversion sleeve's, (much cheaper than tryin ta come up with the $ for new hydro's). I have already noticed a huge difference with easier starting, more stable idle and of course, the exceptionally quick throttle response. The downside I heard from one "gentleman" is that at a high RPM the "lash" increases causing more noise and a "pounding" on the valve train? His word's, not mine. With the weather, ice and snow, I havent been able to get her out for a good "test" run yet.Can anyone clear this up for me? Also, until I have put a few miles on this Shovel I havent "plugged" the oiler holes in the tappet's and am wondering if this is really necessary? Since the head's, (ie. valves, rocker's etc.), are oiled by the external oil lines I can see no reason why the lower end oil pressure would drop.
Can someone explain this to me also?
Or, am I just "floggin a dead horse"?
Thanks in advance,
FXRider

I took a hdy lifter shovel to solid using the inserts (S&S) I didnt plug anyting and ran the BH grind cam. it ran fine . well this was a solid lifter motor stock and I put in hdy. bent a couple valves and then put the inserts in the hdy lifters.they were a little noisey but they all were LOL I beat the piss out of it . I would adj. pushrods from time to time thinking it was getting louder but really dont know if it did any good.
I say run it,

[FXRider]

Thank's Stroker, that's kinda what I thought to. I'm no "certified" HD mech. but, I been workin on the old "sled's" most of my life, (shade tree if ya prefer, lol)! An uncle got me started when I was 12.
I've also got a '78 Sporty 1000cc with the factory solids in it and have never had any problem's out of it.
On the Shovel, (affectionately called the "Bitch"), I gott'er 4yrs. ago as a "roling basket case with 5 boxes and one 40qt. cooler of assorted "part's". They were from different years', ie. '76 through '81 so there really aint no "manual" on this scooter ya know?
She's punched 20 over with an S&S Super E, (what else!), runnin Milwaukee Blaster drag's with "homemade power cone's". She hold's about 130 comp. on both jug's. AND YES, I'm still usin a point's ignition, LOL!
I fired her up in the garage after installin the solid "sleeve's", let'er come up to temp and then set the idle high and walked off for about 10min. Figured with the garage at 80* and the scooter sittin still with no "breeze" ta cool her down she'd get hot enough for any problem's ta show up ya know? Well, never happened, all I ever heard was that sweet little "sewing machine" clatter that solid's make. I cant wait for some ridin weather ta put her through the pace's.
Thank's again,
FXRider, (Wolf)

[strokerjlk]

Originally Posted by FXRider

Thank's Stroker, that's kinda what I thought to. I'm no "certified" HD mech. but, I been workin on the old "sled's" most of my life, (shade tree if ya prefer, lol)! An uncle got me started when I was 12.
I've also got a '78 Sporty 1000cc with the factory solids in it and have never had any problem's out of it.
On the Shovel, (affectionately called the "Bitch"), I gott'er 4yrs. ago as a "roling basket case with 5 boxes and one 40qt. cooler of assorted "part's". They were from different years', ie. '76 through '81 so there really aint no "manual" on this scooter ya know?
She's punched 20 over with an S&S Super E, (what else!), runnin Milwaukee Blaster drag's with "homemade power cone's". She hold's about 130 comp. on both jug's. AND YES, I'm still usin a point's ignition, LOL!
I fired her up in the garage after installin the solid "sleeve's", let'er come up to temp and then set the idle high and walked off for about 10min. Figured with the garage at 80* and the scooter sittin still with no "breeze" ta cool her down she'd get hot enough for any problem's ta show up ya know? Well, never happened, all I ever heard was that sweet little "sewing machine" clatter that solid's make. I cant wait for some ridin weather ta put her through the pace's.
Thank's again,
FXRider, (Wolf)

sound like a great ride wish I had a ole mutt again myself