I have had a annoying clanging/rattle for a long time that appears predominately when hot. Today I fired up the 74 and let it run for a bit then went around with a stethoscope. Of course I couldn't hear anything but just as it was warming up I tried again and all the noise seems equal at the top of the motor with just a tad more at the exhaust port. I dropped the idle down and sure enough I could hear that noise ive been chasing. With the stethoscope I went around the motor yet couldn't find it until I inadvertently touched the timing cover cap. Wow there it was. I have a brand new ignition system in it so I know its not that but it has to be in behind. What is it? Cams, pinion gear. How do I find out. Like all shovels it has that tell tale whine but no louder than any other I have heard. Could it be the roller on the bottom of the front exhaust lifter. What should I check first to minimize on just tearing everything apart?

randy

 

remove the pushrods and then the lifter block dont mix anything up

wash the suspected lifter in a fluid and it will have side to side movement but no in and out should be felt pulling it in and out - any is no good

 

I have solid lifters. They were new prior to me buying the bike. pushrods too. and lifter blocks

 

seen china lifters make noise the first time it started

because someone selling something said its all new means nothing

you said its a noise in the cam cover - the rollers is one noise i would look for and it being solids has no affect on good or bad parts - if the roller is loose its loose and will make noise

 

And, If they are Chiwanese lifters [rollers], get them out of there, and replace with Quality Parts...O.E. or maybe Jims..
Or...I had an acquaintance who would get parts out of a junk yard and put them into his equipment...then claim it was all New!!!
Finally, Being as it's fairly old Bike, The possibility exists that the roller is just plain worn out...Needs to be Replaced.