I have watched the S&S video and that guy does not loosen the 4 screws holding the oil pump to the cam plate. I followed that procedure, instead of the manual. He just pushed it back on after doing the cam replacement.

Am I asking for trouble if I just do the same thing, or loosen the 4 screws and align the pump? Opinions

 

Good way to take it out,if you don't follow the manual .

 

You do not need to remove or loosen the oil pump from the cam plate when doing cam replacement on a twin cam 96". Assuming the oil pump is OK.


Apparently installing an oil pump and on an 88" required the use of the alignment screws more so than on a 96" twin cam.


On a 96" many folks just put two bolts in the oil pump (mounted on the fuel plate) and snug them up a little bit while they slowly turn the crankshaft. This has the effect of centering the oil pump on the shaft. Or so the wisdom goes.
Myself, I still use two tapered bolts to secure the oil pump and then put two mounting bolts in the other empty holes. Then replace the two tapered alignment screws with mounting bolts. I don't bother turning the crank shaft to align the pump.

 

If you do exactly as the factory manual instructs you will have no issues, no other way should be used.