I have 25,000 miles on my 2003 RKC. When is an appropriate time to replace the lifters and what is a good brand to use? I am running S&S 510 chain cams.

Randy

 

What makes you think they need to be changed?
Lifters aren't really a maintenance or wear item.
I can think of several reasons to change lifters but if nothing is wrong "just because" would be way, way down the list.

 

Reading this forum, I have heard many others changing them out at 25k+. You are absolutely correct, if they don't need it but sooner or later don't they. Just wondering.

randy

 

IDK, I was just reading another thread and those people seemed to think they are a wear item. I dont get it. I've got friends with bikes pushing 100k, a couple built to a stage 4, and none of them have replaced lifters just because of milage.

 

OP, I've had 'em go bad at about 25K, so I'm thinking that if yer a little skittish about them, you'd be good to change them out for Screaming Eagles, S&S, Feuling, any excellent quality part, along with adjustable pushrods. Better than having one go bad in.BFE, which is what happened to me!
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i use to believe lifters were not wear items. then had a lifter come part and $10k later, i now change them religiously. HD SE catalog had a disclaimer that lifters should be changed every 7500 miles on performance engines. that was the 2014 SE parts catalogue. Have not seen it in most recent ones 2015 and up.

i change lifters every 15k. i use S&S premium, made in the USA lifters. expensive but worth it.

i ride 25K a year between 3 bikes so at least 1 bike is being changed every year.

everyone should make their own decision

I've made mine. 1 $10k lesson is enough.

 

The History:

The original Harley #18538-99 lifters ('99 to '01) were made by Johnson Hylift and were very good lifters... as good as any aftermarket lifters today.

The #18538-99A and #18538-99B by Delphi were not as good as the Johnson Hylift lifters. Delphi did not use the 0.655" Hi-pressure/ Hi-volume plunger piston like Johnson, just used a version of the chevy small block V-8 lifter.

The Delphi lifters tried to boost hydraulic pressure by using a smaller diameter piston. This led to a smaller high pressure oil reservoir. Some think this is too small to stand up to the Harley valve spring pressure...

This will be debated.... Some think anything after the original Johnson "-99" are sub-standard lifters. Some think the Delphi "-99A/B" lifters are as good as others, and have had no problems with them. But almost everybody considers the Harley "-99C" lifters (2012+) to be a disposable item.... Few will do cam work and leave the "C" lifters in place... And stiil there are some who believe any lifter needs about a 50K miles replacement schedule...

The Decision:

I say, why take a chance? If your bike is newer than '01, and you are in the cam chest, change out the OEM the lifters. In your case, are you sure you still have OEM lifters? If so, since the cams are already installed, I'd probably go with the lifters you have if/until/when you start to get an increase in valve noise or change your cam tensioner shoes (you are due if it wasn't done at cam install time). Then I'd replace the OEM lifters with a better lifter...

There are many aftermarket, very good lifters... you will get a lot of opinions on who's are best..

For me, I've never heard a bad word about S&S lifters, either standard or premium. There is a company making lifters to the original Johnson Hylift specs, and using the name, "AMS Johnson-Hylift lifters".....

Good luck with your decision....

 

I still had stockers in mo 2007 at 92000 miles when I sold the motor and the lifters seemed fine still.

 

I changed mine when I changed my cams, seemed like the thing to do. I went with Woods cams and lifters that was 30k+ miles ago.

 

I changed mine at 47500 miles in my 02 RK, but that was because I was changing cams and tensioners. They were just fine on their own, quiet and working great. Just keep your oil clean, and they will last a lifetime.