Hydraulic lifters

[dukekleman]

Bob,

I can only assume on my statement I'm going to make because I wasn't there in manufacturing...

So here goes based on my years around the Industry. Engineering would have been developing the evolution series engine early on in the 80's. That engine package as we know uses very different valve train including the lifters.

Contracts with suppliers would have been phasing out the Panhead/shovelhead series hydraulic lifter and order volume concentrated on the new evolution series hydraulic lifter for production runs...

This "can" typically constitute a vendor/supplier change hence the -53A in the part number.

This is an assumption on my part coming from Industry involvement knowledge for what it is worth...

Hope this helps,

Duke Kleman

[duffeycycles]

W&W Cycles - S&S Pushrods for Panhead and Shovelhead

[dukekleman]

Duffy,

I just received my new S&S catalog. They haven't printed one for a little while now. I did not see these in there, however perhaps I missed them.
I'll be taking a closer look in the book. If I find them I'll post a correction with the S&S part number.
Thank you for the link!

Duke

[dukekleman]

So here is what I discovered...
S&S does not make a complete hydraulic pushrod kit for Panheads with OEM hydraulic lifters. They only make them complete for Shovelhead heads. See image below.
IMG_20250310_105850934.jpg

However, As Duffy pointed out, they offer a partial kit that you can build out from . It would require the re-use or purchase of quantity (4) 18556-57 and (4) 18570-38 to complete the kit.
Here's an image of what they offer for a Panhead:
IMG_20250310_105810743.jpg

Hope this helps IDFLY...

Duke Kleman

[BigLakeBob]

Duke, I know I started to go off topic from IDFLY original post, but I appreciate you answering my questions and your time. I'm running used .055 wire dia. lifters in my '62 FL with good results. I have rebuilt originals by relapping the ball seat and using a new ball, FYI. Thanks again!

[duffeycycles]

I run S&S pushrods in my Panhead & I had other before but the S&S are less noisy

[T. Cotten]

I run S&S pushrods in my Panhead & I had other before but the S&S are less noisy

With hydraulics, Duffey,

Why would different pushrods make different noise?

Thanks in advance,

Cotten

[duffeycycles]

Steel vs aluminum. Not clatter, the aluminum howled & the noise went away with S&S

[droptopford]

Steel vs aluminum. Not clatter, the aluminum howled & the noise went away with S&S

Interesting. Wonder what the howling was caused by.

I've been running Colony aluminum pushrods in my '48. Solid set up. (Never had any luck running the stock hydraulic pushrods.) I've tried running welded steel pushrods but found them noisier than the aluminum. My guess was that aluminum expanded more than the steel, so less clatter when warm. Doesn't look like S&S offers anything to fit my EL anyway.
I realize this thread was started to discuss hydraulic set up, so maybe my observations are not germane.

[T. Cotten]

Excuse me, Folks.

We all know solids sing a different song with AL vs Steel,..

But the topic is hydraulics.

Tell me why they should be different.

...Cotten

[ldfly112]

I purchased S&S pushrods and lifter inserts. A nice improvement all the way around Thanks for all the support and suggestions

[dukekleman]

IDFLY,

I'm glad to hear things have worked out for you.

Hydraulic valve train is a wonderful thing for many reasons.

Duke Kleman