I was chatting with one of the mechanics at the local Harley shop the other day, mentioning to him I'd like a little more get up and go in my 2002 FXDL without spending a ton of money. He suggested adding the Andrews TW37 cam to my existing Mikuni 42mm carb, SE air, Python III pipes, and stock TC88.

I can pick up one of these cams at Surdyke HD for $213 + shipping.

So, knowing that there are a lot of knowledgable people hanging around this site, I was wondering if anyone had any comments on this cam or any other that might work well with my current setup, without getting too pricey.

Thanks for any information that is shared.

 

Well first thing I would do to a TC88 is replace the timing chain to a gear drive and then go with a cam selection after that.

 

Okay, and forgive the question 'cause I'm still learning, but why would you do that? And if I was to consider something like that, is there a brand or kit for the gear drive I should consider?

 

The TC88 has a sprocket and timing chain setup with guides and tensioner. The gear drive eliminates all that by replacing the sprockets with gears. It will increase the valve timing and also we have had many come in the shop with the tensioners worn out and loose fitting cam drive sprockets. A few bike have had some of these parts fail and caused quite a bit of damage. Most of these bike have around 5000 miles on them. You can also use higher lift cams with this setup. I dont know why H-D put a timing chain in the TC-88 but I dont trust it. We have alot of people converting to the gear drive setup. As far as brands Andrews and S&S make kits for this. Andrews is the cheaper price and I like there cams better than S&S but that my preference. I dont belive H-D has a kit and if they did I wouldnt buy it. Ask your shop about it but remember that they dont like to sell aftermarket stuff. So get your info from as many sources as you can. This is just my experence. Good luck let me know what you find out.

 

Cool. That makes sense now. I looked up the Andrews specs on the TW37G ("G" for gear drive version - PN# 288137G). Their MSRP on this cam is $281 US. Does anyone here have a business(to call or online) they'd recommend purchasing this cam from?

Thanks again fatster. I'll make the proper call to the shop as well.

 

Jireh has good prices on the gears. I bought an S&S 4 gear drive setup to go with my Bob Wood's TW-5G cams from Jireh for $264.00.

-John

 

I tried looking at Jireh's site, but couldn't get a darn thing to come up on the search.

 

http://www.jirehcycle.com/ try this

 

LOL. Yeah, I got to the site, just couldn't get anything from the online catalogue to show. It acts as if you need to know exactly what the part number is before you can search for it. Oops, never mind, I finally figured it out. Doh!!!!

Thanks.

 

Just a quick update. I've decided to go with the S&S 510G cam with inner gears + outer drive gear kit + installation kit ($490 through Jireh, thanks for the tip!!!), but I was wondering about replacing the pushrods as well. In the Andrews kit I was looking at, it recommended using their EZ-Install pushrod kit. Does anyone have any thoughts on other pushrods (kits) that could be used? Comments? Concerns? Suggestions?

 

Anyone know about how long it takes jirehcycle to ship an order? I placed an order on the 8th and was wondering when I might could expect it to arive. I could not find any info on the website. When I have time to put my bike back together I don't have parts. When I have parts I don't have time. Someday the planets will line up and I will ride again.

 

Clay the E-Z install rods are so you dont have to remove the rockers to remove the rods. You just cut the old ones out and the other ones go in and screw together and you adjust them. I look up the info and get back to you. You can probably keep the stock ones in. Save some money

 

Call them & inquire about your order. Jireh is pretty fast if the parts are in stock, but one problem with them is they never seem to notify you if the parts are on back-order.

-John

 

Thanks fatster, I had considered that. Most of the kits suggest you can just leave the original pushrods. That won't hurt my feelings, but for the future is there any benefit to have the adjustable ones installed now?

 

I got my order today, but two parts are on back order

 

Well, I called again. The original setup I mentioned earlier is now included in one complete kit (Jireh p/n 114-324, DragSpecialties p/n DS20072510) for $495. The problem with the 510G w/ inner gears is that CustomChrome was the only one selling it, and it's been discontinued for 2004. Now, I need to confirm that I don't need adjustable pushrods and new valve springs. I'll post back with my findings.

 

If things don`t go right with the install,or you need to do other maintenance in the cam cavity you wont have to take off the rockers and such to remove tappetts,etc...I`d do it now!!!!! Before you cut out the old ones rotate the motor to TDC on the cylinder you are working on(pushrods at their lowest point),this will take the strain off the pushrod and the top part of the pushrod won`t jam down on you from the force of the valve spring.T

 

I'd be interested to know how you make out with the gear drive conversion. I was thinking of installing Andrews TW26 cams in my '02 Road King, and eliminating the chain sounds like a good idea. If everything is available in one kit, it would make things alot easier.