S&S Cycle Oil Pump for T-Series Engines and Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88 Engines, Including Standard and Easy Start Camshafts - Manual (Page 12)

Adjustable Pushrod Installation and Adjustment
1- Rotate engine so one piston is at TDC compression, by rotating the rear tire while feeling the tappets. When both tappets are at the bottom of their
lift, and the piston is at TDC, the cylinder is at TDC compression. If equipped with compression releases, you must use extra care when installing
pushrods. Because the decompression lobe is near TDC, it is possible to adjust the pushrod while the tappet is on the lobe if it is not exactly at TDC.
This will cause incorrect exhaust pushrod adjustment. To verify correct position, you can rotate the engine in the forward direction and feel for the
exhaust tappet to slightly lift (about.030") and set back down on base circle. This is the proper point to install the pushrods.
2- Insert the adjustable pushrods into the collapsed pushrod tubes. Make sure the proper O-rings are installed in the tappet covers, and on the
cylinder head end of the pushrod covers.
3- If the pushrod kit contains different length pushrods, the longer pushrods go in the exhaust locations and the shorter pushrods are for the intakes.
4- Insert the top of the pushrod into the hole in the head, then drop the bottom into the tappet cover.
NOTE: If using unmodified original tappets, perform steps 3-A thru 3-D to adjust pushrods, see below. If S&S HL2T kit has been installed in tappets, proceed
to steps B1 thru B6 below.
A- Pushrod Adjustment Procedure - For Unmodified Stock Tappets, and S&S Tappets without HL2T Kit
1- Turn adjuster screw to lengthen exhaust pushrod until pushrod has no vertical movement but still rotates with light finger pressure. Extend
pushrod by rotating adjuster screw an additional 24 flats and secure adjuster screw with locknut.
2- Repeat step 3A for intake pushrod.
3- Lifters should bleed down in 5-10 minutes, allowing pushrods to be rotated with light finger pressure. Extend pushrod covers and install
cover clips.
Rotating engine before lifters have bled down may damage pushrods and other components not covered under warranty.
4- Rotate engine until it is at TDC of compression stroke for rear piston (following procedure outlined above). Repeat steps 3A-C for rear pushrods.
B- Pushrod Adjustment Procedure - For Tappets With HL2T Kit Installed
1- Remove clips to release lifters. If necessary, place transmission in high gear and turn rear wheel to rotate engine until both lifters of front
cylinder are at lowest point on camshaft. The engine is now at TDC of compression stroke for front piston. If equipped with compression
releases, you must use extra care when adjusting pushrods. Because the decompression lobe is near TDC, it is possible to adjust the pushrod
while the tappet is on the lobe if it is not exactly at TDC. This will cause incorrect exhaust pushrod adjustment. To verify correct position, you
can rotate the engine in the forward direction and feel for the exhaust tappet to slightly lift ( about .030") and set back down on base circle.
This is the proper point to adjust the pushrods.
2- Extend pushrod adjustment, collapsing lifter until piston assembly is in contact with HL2T spacer and pushrod is tight. If tappets contain
oil, as when pushrods are readjusted after engine has been run, or if all oil was not removed during HL2T installation, extend pushrod
adjustment until valve is open (about five additional turns of adjusting screw). Allow 5 minutes for hydraulic unit to bleed down. If pushrod
can be turned with fingers after bleeding down, lifter is not completely collapsed, and this step must be repeated.
NOTE: Perform this operation on one cylinder at a time. Do not turn engine until pushrod adjustment is complete.
Turning engine while valve is held off the seat could result in valve to valve or valve to piston contact and serious valve train damage.
3- Loosen pushrod adjustment until pushrod can be rotated with the fingers with slight drag. Pushrod now has zero lash.
NOTES:
Shortening pushrod adjuster an additional six flats or one full turn from zero lash often results in quieter pushrod operation. This provides additional
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travel for the hydraulic piston assembly, which can improve the ability of the hydraulic unit to maintain zero lash under normal operating conditions.
Harley-Davidson® Twin Cam 88® lifters require HL2T Kit 33-5339 for 1986 and later engines.
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4- Tighten lock nut and recheck pushrod adjustment to insure that it is still correct.
5- Follow the same procedure for all four pushrods.
6- Replace any remaining parts removed to facilitate gear drive cams installation. Check engine oil level. Start engine and check for leaks.
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CAUTION
CAUTION