Evo Lifters and Lifter Block Install

Mike is getting set up to install the Evo lifters and lifter blocks on our 1988 Heritage Softail. It is always important to bleed new lifters with fresh motor oil prior to installing and running in the motor. Mike demonstrates the Evo lifters’ bleeding process with a small oil can. Oil is forced into the oil feed hole on one side of the lifter body. Air and excess oil pushes out of the Evo lifter’s top. Once the air bubbles cease to appear, the lifter can be considered prepped and ready for installation.

New Evo lifters can also be soaked in oil overnight. However, we would still recommend using the bleeding procedure that Mike demonstrates in order to confirm that air has been completely eliminated from the lifters. If installing a high lift cam, it is important to inspect for adequate lifter/lifter block clearance. An aggressive cam, or any cam that is not considered “bolt in,” can push lifters too deep into the lifter block, causing contact and damage between the two.

Mike slides old Evo lifters into the lifter blocks and sets one lifter block at a time into position. A gasket is not used when checking this clearance and hardware should not be installed. Next, Mike turns the motor over by hand to inspect for lifter-to-lifter block clearance. After one lifter block is inspected, it is removed and the other lifter block assembly is inspected with the same procedure.

Mike demonstrates how to clearance the lifter blocks with a die grinder and rasp. Material is ground out uniformly from the lifter block valleys. It is important not to remove more material than what is needed.

Mike lubricates the cam lobes, lifter block bores, and Evo lifter bodies. With new gaskets, the front and rear lifter blocks are set into position. The twelve point hardware is snugged and evenly torqued 12 to 15 ft lbs.

Next up, Mike will be running a ball hone down the cylinders and measuring cylinder bores.