I have a stock 1991 FLT with about 75,000 miles. I put in new HD lifters and new cam bearing about 3,000 miles ago. Experienced no noise in motor, but had fairly loud mufflers Runs fine, but put stock harley mufflers (very quite) on about 2,000 miles ago and now hear a distinct ticking (similar in sound and interval to loose pushrod) from about 2,700-,3,000 rpm. No other range of RPM. No unusual noise above 3,000 rpm. I have tested in neutral at 2700-3,000 rpm and found no exhaust leak. Engine has original non adjustable pushrods, thinking about installing adjustables to eliminate that possibility. Oil pressure is good. Any ideas of what this could be in the specific rpm range that I could check. Thanks!!

 

Does seem odd I must say! My modest experience with noisy tappets is on start up or slow engine speeds, rather than at a mid-range speed. When truly shot they clatter all the time.

 

Were the oiling holes in the side of the lifters facing the right way when dropped in ?

 

Not sure, which way should they face. I will look up in manual. If they were not correct would'nt tick continue above 3,000 rpm? Thanks

 

Lifters are non directional. Is it ticking when cruising with a light tip in of the throttle between 2700 and 3k? And does it go away under any load. If it's a slight tick don't worry about it. They will do that. If it gets louder and happens at all rpm ranges, then you might have an issue... Ride on......

 

The ticking at 2,700-3,000 rpm is under slight load, I can let off throttle and ticking goes away. Sounds like a push rod out of adjustment (I have non adjustables) or a lifter which has leaked down. But only at about 2,700-3,000 rpm. Cure might be to reinstall the original loud mufflers, no problem then (just kidding). Seems like I do remember HD manual saying lifters are non directional.

 

I'm wondering if it is something that was there before and you're just now hearing it since it is quieter on the bike.
Possibly something has the vibration frequency of where your motor is at and it is "singing" to you at those revs.

Griz

 

Adjustables are not the cure. I know people will argue that, but think about it, the guts of the lifter is nothing more than a piston in a cylinder, all the pushrod adjustment can do is change the position that piston runs at inside the lifter, it doesn`t take any backlash out of the system.

If the noise really bothers you, you might investigate the cam and pinion gear backlash, if it is excessive it will cause a tick that sounds like a lifter. Also a worn outer cam bushing will do the same thing.

 

Non directional is true but I believe one way is preferred over the other, can make the difference between noisy and quiet but not failure. Someone get my back here....

 

sure they're directional, the wheel goes down