The Ole Valve Train Noise Thing...

Energy One
djwilpers

djwilpers

Member
Annoying in that I can hear it even at cruise. Today, I finally bit the bullit and took on adjusting the push rods myself using the very handy picture proceedure on the site here. No problems following it and I was sure glad to have it.. Thanks. Bad news is,, it didn't help much if at all. I also took the recommendation to turn the push rod into the lifters 3 turns instead of 4. To :bang: be honest, I really didn't expect it to help because if a lifter was leaking down, I would have expected a performance problem which I do not have. Just noise. Yes, I have the TP rockers. And I know a lot of you guys blame them; but, I've noticed on the site, that not everyone reports "No Noise" after they convert to the S&S? And some have no noise even with TP? But, I do know that there has to be "slop" in the valve train somewhere... And since I think that I have now eliminated the lifters and their adjustment, that leaves either the rocker assemblies or guides. I mean that's all I can think of that's left!

Another clue; by the way, is thata everything is quiet (no rattle) until I get to operating temp. This leads me to try a higher vis oil before I start spending money on parts. I'm currently using Red Line 20w50. They make a 20w60. Has anybody tried it??? Another idea is to go to a straight grade Harley 50w and see what that does down here in the hot Houston climate. But it is clear that either oil viscosity or parts expanding with heat, have something to do with the valve train noise I have.

Any other ideas???
dale
 
E

Eric

Banned
I've used straight 50 during break in,,now got syn 20-50 does make a little more noise, thay make straight 70 wt racing oil.. lucas oils
 
V

V

Guru
I got S&S boxes with 3.5 turns on the rods still hear top end noise. Would not consider it excessive by any means. Nature of the beast ?
 
drummin777

drummin777

Active Member
In all seriousness, after reading several posts on this site and talking to the dealer, I figure it just comes with the territory.
 
MARV

MARV

Well-Known Member
i ran torco 60 last summer and it was real quiet.

a bit noisy now but i think recommended rod adjustment is every 2500 miles?

i'm obviously overdue.
 
RRRUFF

RRRUFF

Well-Known Member
What I have learned/heard is the TP boxes and rocker arm set up creates some bad geometry in the valve train and this causes excessive wear on the valve guides. I have also read that the TP boxes are a looser fit on the S&S heads and can be misaligned. Don't know if all of this is true or not, just some info I have picked up form this site mostly. I am going to change my TP boxes out for S&S and rockers this winter.
 
Mickeetwo

Mickeetwo

Guru
I have the TP rocker boxes and after it starts warming up mine sounds like a sewing machine. I just ride it. After almost 12,000 miles I don't notice it as much as I use to. I have used Mobil 1 syn. and the noise is louder. With regular Rev-tech 20w50 its a little quieter. I have also added about 16oz. of Lucas oil treatment and it seemed to quiet it down a little.
 
T

twowheel99

Active Member
stig said:
i thought my 05 pitbull noise was bad untill i got my 08 twin cam...now thats noisy!
Click to expand...
I agree, I had a 2005 ridgeback w/ TP rocker arms & covers and it did have some excessive top end noise, with the help of a prior forum and a member by the name of FatCat, he helped me get my heads, rocker arms & boxes replaced with S&S items. I believe it cut the noise in half and was very happy with the out come. You have to understand this motor in modern day terms is very antiquated and yes there will be engine noise no matter what, as stig stated you should hear my 2009 H-D twin-cam that is bone stock.....
2
 
djwilpers

djwilpers

Member
Ok, I had Red Line 20w 50 and now changed to Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w-50 with my 4oz shot of STP. And we are noticeably quieter for the time being. I read an oil test comparing these oils and one thing stood out which was which ones thinned out during service. Mobil 1 was one of the best in this regard, hardly thinning out at all! So we'll see if the quietness holds up now for awhile.
 
Ray

Ray

Well-Known Member
I just switched to Mobil 1 and I can hear a little more noise in my top end, not much but a little, at that 80-90 mph range. I heavily researched the Mobil 1 before putting it in the Scooter and I am pleased I did it.

This is what a mechanic that I trust a lot on advice told me about Mobil 1 oil that is in the hydraulics of my exmark lawnmower,,, not the V twin stuff but regular Mobil 1.

When my mower was brand new I took it up and watched him change the hydraulic oil and filter on it. He showed me the little tricks doing it because he knew I wasn't going to pay the dealership $50 bucks for a quart of oil and a filter the next time it needed changed. When I went back to get the filter to change it the next time he told me I really just needed to change the filter in the hydraulics and top the oil back to the full level. He said there was no need to change the oil unless I just wanted to because the mobil 1 oil just didn't wear out like most other oils have tendency to do.

I have a little sounds like valve rattling sound when I get in throttle on the scooter about 80 mph, but I let out of it and it goes away. I don't hear it any other time even with the Mobil 1. The mobil 1 seems to run smoother, but I have some Lucas oil additive in the garage, thinks I will pull a little bit of oil out with a big sirange and add a little Lucas to it..

Thank you to "ALL" on this forum for the help you share with your vast knowledge helping us others keeping our scooters on the road.

Have a great weekend everyone,
Ray
 
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