I have a '73 FLH, with 74" shovelhead. Its got a lot of oil leaking from the front tappet guides. The engine is making a clunking noisie, can't quite figure out where its coming from. Is it from the lifters or could it be a rod knock?

 

Lifter noise is a clicking or clattering noise if too loose. Is the oil leaking around the pushrod cover? If it is it is just a bad cork gasket. Hard to diagnois over the internet but a clunking noise could be a bad or loose compensating sprocket or it could be rod knock. Try to isolate the noise with a mechanics stethoscope http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=41966 or a long screwdriver put against the motor in various spots and next to the ear. Also check the inside of your oil filter to see if you have alot of metal filings. Bronze color could mean you spun a wrist pin bushing causing the piston to jump up and down.

 

Have you considered the front motor mount bolts? Oil from the pushrod leak lubes up the bolts, they back off, instant rod knock. After a while the threads get pulled on the bolts also, and even tho' you tighten 'em up they don't clamp down on the frame. After running a bit longer, with loose mounts, an ear cracks off the case.

Dishonest service departments would take these noisy motors in, telling the owner they needed a full rebuild. Then, wash and paint the motor, keep it for a couple weeks, charge for an overhaul and the owner gets screwed.

Moral is: use top quality motor mount bolts and check 'em often for torque. Good thick steel flatwasher on the aluminum, never a split lockwasher against aluminum, flatwasher & locknut on the bottom. Use fine thread and check often.

andygears

 

check lifter rollers,i had an axle break,but roller did not fall into motor,sounded just like a rod,also when tightening down engine,do back bolts first,if any space is seen in front between motor and frame,cut up a beer can to make shims.don't just tighten front bolts,u mite end up with a cracked case.