I am goign to to be replacing the cam in my 1998 sportsman 500, hopefully this weekend, but if not next weekend. I have ordered a new camshaft and a service manual. Is there any other parts I need to order? Also is there a step by step guide on this. I am started to get intimidated playing with the timing on this machine....

 

as long as you read the manul BEFORE you start working on it everything should be ok...theres usually a few tips and tricks in the paragraphs that are easily missed when your just scanning pictures as you go thru the process of actually doing the work

 

Not a bad idea to download a free parts manual as well. You'll have the breakdown in front of you on paper, and not on the garage floor.

Or you can just look at them on parts websites like Ronnies, or others.

At the Polaris website, you can get the complete parts manual.

 

Make sure you put in new cam followers.

 

anyone have a part number for the cam followers?

 

Dont think there are followers, the manual spells it out clearly, follow there advice and you should do fine,check the rocker arms for wear and dont let the chain fall down, get the timing right and all is good.

 

Polarisind.com under the riders section will give you the parts manual. The rocker arm has the pad on it that rides on the cam, if the cam went bad replace the rocker arm-arms

 

I changed the cam in my 99 sp 500 and in the manual it said the rockers should also be changed. I put in a HO cam two years ago and still don't have perfect jetting. Stick with the stock cam and the manual makes the install easy. As far as the rocker arms go I would change them, the old ones will have formed to the old cam and that can cause premature wear to your new one.

 

be sure to have it in time or u will blow a valve through the piston...i have learned from bad past exp....but pretty easy 2 do...the hardest part is taking all the plastics off.....good luck man!!!!