When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Engine Mechanical TopicsDiscussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.
I'm interested to know how it all turns out.Keep us informed
Will do. Took apart the front cylinder lifters last night and found no issues. All lifters flat to flat and both anti rotation pins measured the same OD. I found no witness mark from the other 3 lifters. I used a mirror and did not see any issues with the cam lobes. Going to call S&S this morning as I think I have one lifter that doesn't want to track straight and run pulling to the right. Glad I caught this early. I also pulled the inner primary and started to install the SE comp sprocket and rotor. I have not heard anything back regarding the BDL comp I shipped back for refund.
Usually 48s are pretty quiet when used with stock springs. They can be a little ticky if heavy springs are used.. I've not had good luck with the SnS std lifters but it's mainly because I'm running heavy springs, 1.675 rollers and a crane h290 cam. They were quiet for about the first 1000 miles but have been getting progressively worse. I helped out a guy that had ticking issues with the 48s and he eventually cured the issue by going to stock springs. He had tried rocker lockers also.. Since you running stock springs, I'd try a different set of lifters.
On leaky lifters, they pretty much start out quiet when the motor/oil is cool but start to rattle as motor warms up.
Usually 48s are pretty quiet when used with stock springs. They can be a little ticky if heavy springs are used.. I've not had good luck with the SnS std lifters but it's mainly because I'm running heavy springs, 1.675 rollers and a crane h290 cam. They were quiet for about the first 1000 miles but have been getting progressively worse. I helped out a guy that had ticking issues with the 48s and he eventually cured the issue by going to stock springs. He had tried rocker lockers also.. Since you running stock springs, I'd try a different set of lifters.
On leaky lifters, they pretty much start out quiet when the motor/oil is cool but start to rattle as motor warms up.
Thanks for the feed back. I am running stock springs and today S&S is sending me replacement lifters. Once received and installed we will see how they do.
So after a slight shipping snafu with S&S I received the replacement Premium lifters. I replaced all 4 and installed the SE Comp sprocket. After a short ride last weekend the bike is much quieter. Thinking the true issue was the BDL comp that I am being refunded for. Taking a good ride tomorrow and fingers crossed, this issue is behind me. Thanks everyone for their input.
This weekend I spent time tearing into the top end again as the noise I was experiencing has returned and seems to be getting worse. Last night I dug in and went down to the Cam plate. Found that the outboard hydraulic tensioner was seized and as I rotated the motor the chain would go from tight to very loose. I had to force the tensioner down on my work bench to free it up. The inboard tensioner had play and seemed to be working fine. Today I ordered two replacement tensioners, SE Cam Support Plate & High Volume Oil Pump. Sure hope this ends this saga. Good news is I saw no witness marks on the new lifter anti rotation pins that hold the S&S lifters in place. This tells me the other problem I had found was in fact a bad lifter that was not running true.
This weekend I spent time tearing into the top end again as the noise I was experiencing has returned and seems to be getting worse. Last night I dug in and went down to the Cam plate. Found that the outboard hydraulic tensioner was seized and as I rotated the motor the chain would go from tight to very loose. I had to force the tensioner down on my work bench to free it up. The inboard tensioner had play and seemed to be working fine. Today I ordered two replacement tensioners, SE Cam Support Plate & High Volume Oil Pump. Sure hope this ends this saga. Good news is I saw no witness marks on the new lifter anti rotation pins that hold the S&S lifters in place. This tells me the other problem I had found was in fact a bad lifter that was not running true.
Sound like you might want to order a new crankshaft while you are at it... Newer SnS are good..
This weekend I spent time tearing into the top end again as the noise I was experiencing has returned and seems to be getting worse. Last night I dug in and went down to the Cam plate. Found that the outboard hydraulic tensioner was seized and as I rotated the motor the chain would go from tight to very loose. I had to force the tensioner down on my work bench to free it up. The inboard tensioner had play and seemed to be working fine. Today I ordered two replacement tensioners, SE Cam Support Plate & High Volume Oil Pump. Sure hope this ends this saga. Good news is I saw no witness marks on the new lifter anti rotation pins that hold the S&S lifters in place. This tells me the other problem I had found was in fact a bad lifter that was not running true.
Its good you at least found a couple of things that are likely candidates. Id be willing to bet the next upgrade will be the fix.
I am hoping you are right Uncle Fuzzy. Though this is an annoying noise at the least I found three issues with two being after market parts recently installed that would have led to more problems down the road.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.