Lifters again

[nine lives]

Ok, I know there are alot on lifters on here, but I want to know if anyone is experiencing the same symptoms as me. First let me say that I do my own work and have been working on motors for a long time, that said, I am having what sounds like a tappet noise that comes and goes. When I start the bike there is no unusual noise, run for about 5 miles starts to tap will tap till it gets hot then dies down, but still has a slight sound. I have adjusted the rods two times, first time went 4 turns from zero lash, second time went 3 1/2turns. I will do it one more time at 3 turns this week just to see if it makes a difference. I would like to ride the rest of the summer before I remove the cam and lifters and maybe the boxes for inspection. What does everyone think? I think I may have a bad lifter.:bang:

 

[armad]

Lifters may be a little noisy on startup, but should pump up as the bike warms up. Especially if the bike has sat for a while (several days).? Have you done any cam or valve train work recently, other than adj the rods?

 

[nine lives]

No nothing.

 

[RubWhore]

Sounds like a bike with TP rocker boxes


:down::down::down::down::down:

 

[nine lives]

No, have S&S boxes.

 

[Tomtang aka Reptilejim]

Last week I carried my bike (o6 ridgeback) in for 10000 mile check. In talking I asked about noisey lifters and the mechanic stated that they all do that (make some noise).
My bike does the same thing as yours, 9lives.

 

[chacha]

I've tried rod adjusts with 4, 3 1/2, and 3 -- I've been happiest at 3. I'm runnning Andrews EZ-pushrods as well, which are lighter than the S&S rods.

As said, they all are going to have some noise.....

 

[Chopper Dawg]

What oil are you running? I switched to Mobile one 20w 50 and that seems to quiet some of the valve train noise.
Just curious to see what you are running?

 

[Daddycool]

I am running Royal Purple and will switch to Mobile one for that exact reason.

 

[BigDogBro1]

I always run a half bottle of Lucas oil treatment with every oil change. It helps with dry starts on cylinder scuffing and lowers all friction and heat.

 

[Little-Boo]

I run the S & S boxes & roller rockers with the Jims Hydro solid lifters and 650 woods cam. Mine make a little more noise than what it used to with the TP boxes and 600 cam. It is especially loud when its hot. I took the top of the box just to make sure it was getting oil and it is. That is all that matters to me I can put up with the tic tic noise. I may just add some STP oil treatment being that the weather in this area is always between 90 and 98 degress. Just saying

Carlos

 

[Choppperguy]

Carlos, I don't think the increase in noise is from the rocker boxs, woods cams are notoriously noisy due to the cam profiles. If its in the upper 90's, don't use STP, use an oil cooler.

 

[nine lives]

I'm going to try 3 turns tonight. I use AMSOIL 20/50.

 

[john sachs]

Are you sure that it's not piston slap ?
Quiet cold...noisy hot..
John

 

[nine lives]

No, definitly not. Remember that sound from my dirt bike days. The sound is eminating from the rocker box. I know this sound can be diseptive. My Softail had a lifter go bad and score the cam lobe, that sound also sounded like it was comming from the rockers, but that sound did not go away. (roller went bad) It's just wierd, as I said, cold no sound, warms up, tic, tic tic, gets hotter noise goes away. If this last 3 turn adjustment doesn't work, I would bet it's a lifter. If not I'll have to do a tear down.

 

[abnmechny]

yeah mine do the same thing. The dealer said its normal and that they noted it so then that if anything did happen it was noted but I had him do a valve adjustment, and said it was fine he even had a S&S engine guy look at it. So im just going to ride even though I dont like hearing that noise 100 miles or more away from home.

 

[RRRUFF]

Same here!

 

[Oldskuul]

FWIW I popped out the rear lifters on mine and gave them a good cleaning, they had a lot of gunk in them causing them to stick. Problem solved, for now.
I'm all over the tappet screen now also

 

[LDO]

I always run a half bottle of Lucas oil treatment with every oil change. It helps with dry starts on cylinder scuffing and lowers all friction and heat.

Anyone else use the Lucas oil treatment stuff?

This has me thinking I may add some next oil change.

 

[Eric]

yep I run the lucas oil treatment in all my stuff..