I am working on a friends 1989 sportster. It has sat out in the weather for three years (covered until it rotted). He is an elderly guy and attempt to pull the cam cover to replace the ignition module (didn't know what he was doing) and pulled a cam out. He then covered it and let it sit since he had another bike. Now he wants to get the bike running and asked me if I could fix it for him. I told him I'd try to get the bike back together. Unfortunately my oldest sportster manual is 2004. I pulled the rockers and push rods and have the cams timed. As I was cleaning things up, I noticed water had got into the lifter bore and there's rust. I pulled the bolt to pull the lifter block and I can't get it off. I don't see any other bolts. Does the lifter block, once the bolt is out, just lift off? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

It will, but it's probably stuck in there from the condition you've mentioned. Rotate it around if you can, even tapping it a little bit with a hammer to unstick it.

 

Thanks for the info. Wanted to make sure nothing would break if I started twisting it. I find plenty info on the Ironheads and late models, not much for the late 80's stuff, at least in reference to the lifters.

 

Nothing much changed between ironheads and later models, for the purpose of answering your query, which you can verify by using a parts website.

 

thanks, I'll try your suggestion. I thought there was a puller used for the Ironhead blocks. With this one being difficult, which is probably caused by the rust, just wanted to double check. I have manuals on all my bikes, but not this one. thanks again

 

 

just wanted to report back that I was able to get the lifter block off and remove the lifter after soaking in pb blaster which I believe broke the rust loose. appreciate the input.