After changing my pipe a couple days ago (coincidentally) I noticed a tick from what sounds like the front rockers. Sounds (twin cam) normal at cold start but gets louder as the motor heats up. It’s funny because I went to a much louder pipe and would expect sounds to be hidden, not exposed. So I’m figuring it might be new. Or I could just be a moron and never noticed it.

Performance is great, no issues, only the noise. I’m good with working on everything but “engine” stuff. I just don’t have the finesse or “feel” for things like checking if a lifter has bled down fully or lash is fully taken up, so it’ll need to go in.

I checked the exhaust gaskets, loosened the exhaust bracket bolts, let it settle, and retightened and retorqued the exhaust stud bolts. Checked for leaks at the gaskets with smoke and there is none. Wondering if a pushrod got loose maybe?

Here are some recordings. From top @ cold start, to bottom @ 200deg engine temp. FYI it’s a woods 999-6 cam which is kinda high lift (needed new springs).


Any thoughts?

 

Since I’ve gotten so many helpful suggestions, I thought I’d update. Replaced lifters and readjusted pushrods. No help there. Gauged oil pressure, good cold and hot. Tomorrow rocker cover comes off and will inspect rockers. Hoping it’s something easy like somehow one worked it’s way loose.

 

What type of exhaust port gaskets are you using? Where I would start is making 100% positive that the exhaust port gaskets are not leaking. Seaming how you didn't notice the ticking sound untill after installing the new exhaust. How I check for exhaust leaks is using a clean small shop vac and spraying soapy water no all the places where the exhaust can leak and using the shop vac blow air into the end of the exhaust. If you have a leak you will see bubbles where it's leaking. Usually from my experiences, thats where my exhaust would leak if the exhaust was going to leak.

If no exhaust leak, I'd take the rocker box covers off, looking at the valve springs and work your way down to the lifters and see if you can see anything that looks broke. Depending on which pushrods, if adjustable,I heard of them loosing if the lock nut isn't tighten properly.

Hope that helps​​​​​

 

Before you rip it apart, go back to your last repair- changing the pipe. Check for exhaust leak.

 

The warmer it gets the more it sounds like an exhaust leak.

Could be rocker shaft tapping, there is a cure

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That definitely sounds like an exhaust issue on the front.. Check all around the o2 sensor as well..

 

Thanks for the suggestions. (how did I know I was going to hear from rockout? ;-) actually the shop owner originally suggested them as a possible fix. Until he heard it.

Used the gaskets provided by Fuel Moto. They use these thick square gaskets that look like 2 SE gaskets stacked. Love them and have been using them for years. Definitely not an exhaust leak. Tested by myself and the shop. Stethoscope has confirmed it coming from the rocker area. As said, lifters changed as a precaution (S&S precisions used this time) and pushrods removed, inspected and readjusted. So nothing there.

Will find out tomorrow when the cover comes off...

 

Looks like it was a bad exhaust valve guide. Going to take this as a sign that it’s time to get the FuelMoto CNC ported heads I’ve been looking at... LOL.

 

How did you find the problem? I would never have guessed bad valve guide was the source of the noise.

 

Opening up the exhaust let you hear more stuff. Get a two ear stethoscope and you will be able to tell where it is coming from. No screwdriver stuff or just listening. Sound travels all over. That two ear stethoscope will let you fill it. Other just noise will disappear.

Harbor Freight. About 5 or 6 dollars. Mechanics Stethoscope. I made mine from a real one and just took the drum off and added 14" of steel brake line on. I put a piece of vacuum hose about 3" long over it to hold and hammered the end over.