I just put on a set of SE cams and I can't seem to get the rod back through one the rocker arms. I rotated the engine to get the pushrod at it's lowest point, but I still can't get the rod to slide back into the rocker arm. The rocker arm is still a little high. The only thing I can figure is that I have to find something to push the valvespring down? Anybody else run into this?

Since I've just done this:

Here's the XLForum how to:

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=31258

You also should have the factory service manual for torque settings and directions.

I'm assuming you took the rocker boxes off to remove the pushrods. If not, and you're trying to manipulate the rods past the rocker arms that's bad and I hope you haven't damaged anything yet. If you're re-installing the rocker boxes they won't sit down flat but rather the valve springs will be compressed as the main bolts for the rocker arms are tightened properly ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL. Good luck and buy the book if you haven't yet.

i removed the lower rocker box and installed rod back in on bench and then make sure valves are in the correct location (tdc) then reinstall on engine with proper torque sequence

I installed them using the directions that Harley puts in the cox. They are a little different. They had me take the rocker arms off, I assume so that I could push the rollers up to install the cams. I never actually took the bottom of the rocker box off.

Maybe those cams require shorter (adjustable) pushrods?

I lossened up the bolts on the bottom of the rocker box and got it in. Now that I have everything back together it doesn't seem to want to take any gas. The only way I can get it to run is with the choke on. If I try to turn the throttle just the slightist little bit it kills it. So I am quessing that I need to get leaner jets. Does that sound right or should the old jets be fine and I just screwed something up?

I think you've got something else wrong. It should run. Check for a vacuum leak. You're sure you don't need shorter pushrods?

What cams did you use? How much lift? Did you know that the pushrods are different lengths. Make sure you have the right ones in the right position. If you don't have them right it will not work right and you might have bent the pushrod.

I used the Screaming Eagle Bolt-Ins. I never removed the pushrods, I just left them setting in the tubes. How would I know if I had a vaccum leak?

Also, before I put the rocker box back on, I pushed the bike a little bit to make sure the rockers where working and they looked fine. The pushrods where moving up and down as where the valves.