I'm about to install a set of Woods TW-6-6 cams in my '07 Road King. I've always removed the tank and rocker covers in the past and used the stock pushrods but I have a question. I know the biggest benefit of adjustables is to save labor. But what makes for a quieter valve train? I've read a few posts here that Bob Woods himself has suggested tightening up the pushrods beyond the instructions of the peticular set to quiet things up. Naturally this is not possible if you use the stock pushrods.

Do adjustable pushrods help in obtaining a quieter valve train?

 

Putting in the adjustable rod is just that. To save time unless your setup has changed things so much that your stack height is out of the range for the piston in the hydraulic lifter. Remember the valve spring overcomes this and once all the clearance is up it is quite. You cannot make quite quieter if it is right. If you try to adjust up more and run out of piston travel your valve will stay open and the exhaust leaking by will soon erode the seat area. My opinion is they are just something to get loose. Pull the tank and covers.
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JUST MY OPINION
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I use the stock pushrods for simplicity. I also suggest that you check the rockers and shim to .oo4 to help cure the ticking. The high lift cams will increase noise if there is excessive rocker end play.

 

Neither will be quieter than the other. Harleys have hydraulic lifters, so there is no free play in the valve train while the engine is running, whichever pushrods are in there.

 

Thanks for that tip. Is this procedure explained in the service manual?

 

I had Screamin' Eagle adjustable pushrods installed on my 2000 RG when I had the cams and chain tensioners replaced at about 65,000 miles. I rode the bike about another 12,000 miles with no problems. Using adjustable push rods eliminates the need to take the rocker arms loose, and the cost of a set of adjustable rods is about half the cost of labor to retain the fixed rods. If the rods are adjusted properly and they don't come loose, there should be no difference. As other posters have pointed out, H-D Big Twins have hydraulic lifters and there should be no play in the valve train (hence no additional noise) either way.

 

can someone explain this proceedure with part numbers if possible