2010 Ultra with 1057 miles, I'm getting ready to do a cam change myself to a Woods tw 6-6. Is it really necessary to change the inner bearing being I just turned 1000 miles.

 

I just changed out my cams, went the TW-6-6 myself. I wouldn't say that it is necessary but your there so why not. I changed mine out and went with the Timkin/Torrington but the stock bearing looked good. I only had about 250 miles on them and they would lasted for a long time I am sure. I would have to say that it is something that is totally up to you, what you feel comfortable with. That being said it really isn't a big job to swap them out. You do need a bearing puller but I think it only took me a total of 30 minutes or so to do the whole bearing swap. By the way you will love the TW-6-6 cams.

Jeff

 

I would change the inner bearings and the roller chain. For less than $50 in parts, why not start with a fresh setup. Not necessary, for sure, but just saying...That is what I did anyway.

 

New Torrington b-168 bearings run about 15 bucks for a pair. They have twice the rollers as the stock INA bearings. Almost everyone I know who has swapped cams has also changed the inner bearings. It's cheap insurance, and only adds 15-20 minutes or so to your job.

It's not absolutely necessary with bolt-in cams, but once you start getting into high lift cams and upgraded valve springs, the increased effort on the valve train puts increased load on the bearings, and that's when it becomes more than just a good idea.

I also went ahead and put in a fresh set of Harley "B" lifters and a Baisley +15 oil spring. None of that was necessary, but I don't know when the next time I'll be in the cam chest, and it's a good idea to take care of wear items when you can. I think the lifters, inner bearings, and oil spring added a little over a hundred bucks to my cam swap. (I did get a screamin deal on the lifters).

 

I thought by luck someone would say HD switched to the good bearings and they are now being used in the 2010 Ultra's. No such luck. I just didn't want to have to buy the install and removal tools for a one time cam change. I guess I'll start watching e-bay. Anybody know of a good site for the tools?
Thanks again. I'm not sure what the oil sring is all about. I'll be checking my service manual.... Can you further explain, this is the first I've heard about the oil spring.

 

If you are going through the effort to swap out the cams then I highly recommend swapping out the bearings. Gary Beatty has a great tool for $89.

Here is a look at those bearings. Why wouldn't you change these out? It's easy.

 

On my TC88, I used a blind bearing puller - free loaner from Autozone - to pull the inner bearings. I used an old cam to set the new Torringtons in place.

JR

 

I would say yes change them. I changed mine when I had the cams installed.