Twin cam Tensioner trouble...wut to do, wut to do...

[MrSurly]

2001 RK 20000 miles, stage I AC, MM efi no SERT
Budget: very limited.

While doing maintenance and new tires/pads yada,yada I pulled the cam chest to check those famous Twin Cam tensioners. The outer shoe has about a .004 wear track and the inner appears to have a little more but its just too damn hard to see. They would apparently be good for another 15 or 20K but of course, you can't be sure. I am willing and able to pull the top end in order to replace the tensioners so that I can not worry for a while.
The rub is that the dealer wants 150 bux for them and it just doesn't look like there's that much there. Before I go pick them up, I'm wondering what alternatives might be out there? Are there aftermarket tensioners?
Does the SE hydraulic upgrade actually eliminate the worry about the plastic bits breaking? I really don't have the coin to spend nearly a grand on a gear-drive cam set-up. The side issue is that if I Did drop in new cams, that would bring new troubles with tune and then I'd hafta buy more goodies to be able to tune the Marrelli system and then dyno time, more moola ad infinitum. What is the budget tensioner fix for peace of mind?
I am fully aware of the line of thinking that goes: if you're gonna pull the cam plate, you might as well do the cams, if you're gonna do the cams, you might as well do the heads, you might as well do the jugs.....
No, I don't have three grand of might-as-well upgrade funds.

Your thoughts?

[TalonChief]

The SE kit uses a different material on the actual pad and does not load the hell out of it like the springs. I may switch to this setup when I open it up again. I swapped my originals around 20K, but could have gone longer.

If you're staying stock, order your tensioners from someone not looking to wear out your sphincter, like one of our sponsors.

[squish]

change them NOW. trust me on this. i was at just over 25k when i inspected mine, and thought i could go for a while longer. well they decided to let go on the way to the first Vukfest. when they reach a certain wear point (and i'm not sure what it is) they seem to go very quickly. the total damage was cams, chain, chain gears, lifters, push rods, and the real kicker.....the oil pump. the total bill was $1300, but with the extended warranty it cost me $150 for fluids, filter and the difference in the upgraded parts that i used..if ya need to feel free to call and i'll relay my story in more detail.

[Dsanchez]

Andrews also makes a conversion kit...http://www.andrewsproducts.com/PDF_f...99-06chain.pdf

[kiddrockr]

Another thing to remember is the 400.00$ in special tools that you will need regardless of witch way you go. But Georges Garage is a sponsor of the site.

[squish]

there are those around here who have the tools and will loan them.....

[TalonChief]

Originally Posted by kiddrockr

Another thing to remember is the 400.00$ in special tools that you will need regardless of witch way you go. But Georges Garage is a sponsor of the site.

Or send me your address and you can use mine.

[TalonChief]

Originally Posted by Dsanchez

Andrews also makes a conversion kit...http://www.andrewsproducts.com/PDF_f...99-06chain.pdf

That one demands using Andrews' N-series cams doesn't it?

[Dsanchez]

Originally Posted by TalonChief

That one demands using Andrews' N-series cams doesn't it?

I believe so...

[Dsanchez]

I have the 26 h cams in my '07 FLH. When I can get a few extra bucks I plan to do the conversion on my '02 FXDWG. I've been told to steer away from the SE plate. I'm gonna either do the Andrews conversion or the HERKO conversion...

[squish]

if you go to herko look me up.....i'm literally right down the road...

[Dsanchez]

So Josh...after I posted the infor about him...did ya check 'em out ? He's a good guy ...


http://www.flyingwperformance.com/

[TalonChief]

Originally Posted by Dsanchez

I have the 26 h cams in my '07 FLH. When I can get a few extra bucks I plan to do the conversion on my '02 FXDWG. I've been told to steer away from the SE plate. I'm gonna either do the Andrews conversion or the HERKO conversion...

What's the issue w/ the SE plate?

[squish]

i did the cursory search and read a few of his posts at HTT.....he seems like he knows his poop..i might have to get in touch with him....

[Dsanchez]

The SE Hybrid plate uses the existing Morse chain to connect the cams together on the inboard side of the plate, and it you have a 99-01 bike you have to use your old Morse chain on the outside as well (although there are workarounds here). Lots of folks think these chains were to blame for the high rate of wear with the old system,and are concerned they might wear the new style tensioners faster than the roller chains do. With the Herko kit you get the same type setup as the 06-later Dynas, and 07 later other engines, meaning no Morse chains. If you are doing the work yourself you won't have to press outer bearings into the cam plate because there are none, so you might save some in tool cost.