S&S Cycle Gear Drive Cam Chest Kit Without Cams For Oil-Cooled Harley Softail & Touring (2017–2026)
Complete Billet Oiling & Gear-Drive Conversion Foundation for Milwaukee-Eight Engines
Eliminate timing chain tensioners and maximize engine oiling on your oil-cooled V-Twin with the S&S Cycle Gear Drive Cam Chest Kit Without Cams. Purpose-built for 2017 through 2026 Harley-Davidson Softail and Touring models equipped with oil-cooled Milwaukee-Eight (M8) engines, this comprehensive chest pack provides all the high-performance oiling and support components required to convert your motor to rock-solid gear-driven timing—allowing you to supply your choice of M8 gear-drive camshafts.
At the core of this kit is S&S’s blueprinted billet aluminum high-flow oil pump and matching billet cam support plate. Precision-calibrated for oil-cooled M8 heads, this system significantly increases scavenge and oil feed pressure, eliminating oil sumping and protecting critical bottom-end bearings under heavy heat and severe loads. Converting to gear drive completely removes chain drive friction and tensioner shoes, delivering dead-accurate valve timing and crisp throttle response.
Technical Specifications & Product Details
| Feature / Metric | Product Specification | Rider Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Brand / Manufacturer | S&S Cycle (Made in USA) | Gold-standard American engineering with precision tolerance manufacturing |
| Engine Platform | Milwaukee-Eight (M8) Oil-Cooled | Calibrated specifically for oil-jacketed M8 cylinder head cooling passages |
| Drive Type | Gear Drive Conversion (No Cams Included) | Eliminates chain tensioners and timing chain slack for exact valve timing |
| Oil Pump System | Billet Aluminum High-Flow / High-Scavenge | Increases oil pressure and oil return flow to prevent sumping under heavy load |
| Included Components | Pump, Support Plate, Premium Lifters, Pushrods, Gaskets | Complete foundation pack allowing custom gear-drive camshaft selection |
Engine Dynamics & Gear Drive Performance
### The Gear Drive Advantage for Milwaukee-Eight Motors
Stock M8 chain-driven setups rely on hydraulic tensioner shoes that create friction and potential wear debris over time. By converting your 2017–2026 oil-cooled M8 to an S&S gear drive setup, you eliminate tensioner wear entirely. Gear-driven cams eliminate timing lag caused by chain stretch, improving engine throttle responsiveness and giving your valve train crisp, precise operation across the entire RPM range.
### Key Performance Benefits
Vehicle Compatibility Guide
S&S Cycle Gear Drive Cam Chest Kits (Without Cams) offer direct fitment for 2017–2026 Harley-Davidson Softail and Touring models equipped with oil-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 107ci, 114ci, 117ci, and 121ci engines setup for gear-drive camshafts:
### Compatible Harley-Davidson Oil-Cooled Models (2017–2026)
- Harley-Davidson Softail: Street Bob, Low Rider S/ST, Fat Boy, Heritage Classic, Breakout, Softail Standard (2018–2026)
- Harley-Davidson Touring (Oil-Cooled): Road Glide, Street Glide, Road King, Electra Glide Standard (2017–2026)
Fitment Note: Requires gear-drive style Milwaukee-Eight camshafts (sold separately). Pinion shaft runout must be measured prior to installation and must be less than .005″ for M8 gear drive operation. Will not fit Twin-Cooled (liquid head) M8 models without selecting the corresponding Twin-Cooled part number.
Step-by-Step DIY Installation Overview
Installing an S&S Cam Chest Kit is an advanced mechanical upgrade. Estimated installation time: 3 to 4 hours using standard engine shop tools.
### Required Tools
- 3/8″ Drive Torque Wrench (in-lbs and ft-lbs)
- Dial Indicator with Magnetic Base (for measuring crankshaft runout)
- M8 Cam Gear Locking Tool / Press Setup
- Quick-EE Pushrod tools or bolt cutters
- Assembly lube, engine oil, and replacement gaskets
### Step 1: Disassembly & Pinion Shaft Runout Measurement
Safely secure the motorcycle, drain engine oil, and remove the outer cam cover, floorboards, and exhaust headers. Remove stock pushrods and extract the factory cam plate and oil pump. Place a dial indicator on the end of the crankshaft pinion shaft and rotate the motor to measure total indicated runout (TIR). Runout must be .005″ or less to run M8 gear-driven camshafts safely.
### Step 2: Assembling the Billet Plate & Oil Pump
Lube all oil pump gears and internal relief valves with clean assembly lube. Install your selected gear-drive camshaft into the S&S billet cam plate. Align the timing dots on the inner gears, press the assembly into the plate, and mount the S&S billet oil pump loosely over the pinion shaft before centering and torquing the plate to specification.
### Step 3: Installing Outer Gears, Lifters & Final Clearance
Press outer drive gears onto the camshaft and pinion shaft, ensuring outer timing marks align perfectly. Check gear backlash using a dial indicator to ensure proper mesh clearance. Install the included premium S&S hydraulic lifters, set Quick-EE adjustable pushrods to pre-load specifications, reattach the outer cam cover with a fresh gasket, fill with fresh engine oil, and prepare for initial startup.
Frequently Asked Questions
### What pinion shaft runout limit is required for this M8 gear drive kit?
For gear-drive camshaft setups on Harley Milwaukee-Eight engines, crankshaft/pinion shaft runout must be .005″ or less. If your crank runout exceeds .005″, you must either truant/weld your crankshaft or opt for an S&S Chain Drive M8 Cam Chest Kit instead.
### Does this kit include a camshaft?
No. This kit includes the complete high-flow billet oil pump, billet cam support plate, high-performance hydraulic lifters, Quick-EE adjustable pushrods, outer drive gear hardware, and gaskets. Camshafts are sold separately so you can select the perfect S&S or aftermarket M8 gear-drive cam profile for your specific build.
### Order Your S&S Gear Drive M8 Cam Chest Kit Today
Eliminate tensioner worries and upgrade your 2017–2026 oil-cooled Harley Milwaukee-Eight engine with ultimate oiling efficiency and rock-solid gear drive stability. Order your **S&S Cycle Gear Drive Cam Chest Kit (Without Cams)** today with fast shipping!
