Can the old cam chain tensioners be updated to later hydraulic tensioners? Or. Do you need the later cam plate? Thanks for any advice.

 

There are multiple options. There are "new", "better" pads available for the original pre 2006 tensioners. There are totally different units that have the hydraulic tensioners, and of course Gear Drive set ups. I just upgraded my stock 2006 tensioners. They all have pros and cons. If your timing chain isn't tearing up your stock tensioners up grade to better pads on the stock set up is my choice and advice.

 

If you change from spring tensioners to hydraulic in a twin cam, you will need a new ‘07 and up cam plate. You will also need conversion cams as the newer cam plates have larger outer cam bearing bores.

 

Don't forget a different oil pump (made to feed the hydraulics).

 

I converted to hydraulic tensioners when I did a 95" build on my '04 Road King. I used all 96" parts and Andrews "N" Conversion cams which have the 96" outer (cam plate) bearing diameter and the 3/4" inner bearing diameter for the 88" engines. I also installed a 96" oil pump and new inner cam bearings.
Andrews used to sell a complete conversion kit; I don't know if they still do.
New OEM tensioner shoes and gear driven cams are also good options.
I think the 88" TwinCams are good engines that are worth modifying.

 

I changed my '04 to the Harley hydraulic setup. At the time, it was a Screaming Eagle package. The tensioners, cam plate, cam bearings and oil pump change. You do not need to change cams, As I recall, I took the cam plate to the dealer to have a bearing or bearings pressed into the plate. I did the labor. The package cost me $550 at the time. That was 53,000 miles ago. The bike is running just fine.

 

I had the cam chain tensioners replaced in my '00 T/C 88 replaced at about 39,000 miles when I had the 95 Big Bore kit installed.

And at about 75,000 miles I had them replaced along with the S/E Hydraulic Kit installed with the H.O. oil pump.
I must admit that it did increase my oil PSI (according to the oii gauge).

I remember talking to a guy (that was riding an '03 Fat Boy) several years ago and he told me that his cam chain adjusters and failed at 25,000 miles and he had to have his engine rebuilt.

As I told my friend just the other day after he got his "new to him" '99 Road King, the OEM adjusters are a "ticking time bomb".

 

The pre 2006 Cam Chain Tensioners can be a ticking time bomb. I think the final verdict was actually un-polished timing chains were chewing up the tensioners and causing engine failures if not caught in time. If you have the mechanic crack open your chain case and take a look he can tell you if your tensioners are in bad shape or not. I had mine checked @ 30,000 miles and they had more than 50% of the pad remaining. We are talking a difference of $90- $100 dollars for new pads versus $900+ for a new set up.

 

Hey this is from the voice of experience. Old 96 If you can afford it, go for the S&S gear to gear cams, that is just a hair above the OEM stock cams. You will be money ahead.
The cams on my 2000 Wide Glide crapped out, and my INDY had set of those S&S G to G cams in stock, so he put them in for me. If i had not wrecked it, they would still be the best mod I ever did on that bike.

 

Old 96, I started a thread about this here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/engin...1-cam-kit.html

Read and enjoy!