Tappet Roller Side Clearance

[steve_wood]

Hey folks,

My tappet rollers appear to be in pretty good shape. There is 0 up and down play, and only .010 side to side. Seems okay, but I can't find a spec anywhere.

Thoughts or comments?

[hogboy52]

I don't believe there is one. It's merely the roller slop. I'm still running the original rollers and they feel like new.

[Bigincher]

Tappet roller end clearance.................. .008" - .010". Page 54 Panhead Service Manual 1948-57

[steve_wood]

I saw that, but I wasn't 100% sure. Now that somebody else thinks it's the same thing, it must be good.

[Bigincher]

It's not that I 'think' it's the same thing, it's the factory spec, right out of the book. "Tappet Roller End Clearance" is just that.

[NightShift]

Dear Forum Folks,
Those tappet rollers dont wear out from slop because they arent under constant pressure. They wear out from hammering from going under load and out from under it.
They crystallize.

And then youve got pieces shucking through your breather and maybe even kicking the bellies out of your cases.

Just change them every thirty thousand miles no matter what and sooner if you don't know.

Case repairs are a big bummer,

[Bigincher]

Case repairs are a big bummer,

AMEN to that.....!!!!!

[steinauge]

Shifty is sure enough right! I wish we had a source for the old style rollers that didnt have needle bearings!

[Frankenstein]

This is the first I've heard about tappet roller destruction. Is it an aftermarket part phenomenon? Ive been running original rollers in Pans and Knucks for many times 30K and had zero problems.
As for the non roller bearing, look for nos 45 tappets, and steal the rollers out of them. They were bushed.
DD