Motorcycle Repair: 1996 FLHTCUI, question factory, bike mike

Question
QUESTION: Factory manual says its possable to replace oil pump without removing engine The oil pump drive shaft hits tranny & will not clear its brass bushing... any tricks???
I may be in trouble anyway the cam fell out when I sliped off the lower timing gear(oil pump went bad & stripped teeth off the pinon gear).
Thank You

ANSWER: The oil pump should come out as a unit with the shaft. Its a tight fit and pain to remove.
On the cam falling out, do you have to top end off the bike?
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No the top end is not apart...yet... I have taken the gas tank,seat, battery out figuring on having to remove the top end. I have to think about engine replacment if I go much farther.
Thank You

Answer
If the cam fell out and the top end is not removed then you will have pressure on the lifters and will not be able to put it back. What you can do, however, is cut the pushrods out and install adjustable pushrods. then you wount have to take the top end apart.
On engine replacement, it would be cheaper to rebuild the motor than to replace it.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike