Upper end noises
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 777
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From: Beaumont, Ca
Upper end noises
My 2000 Heritage Springer (107 c.i.) has an engine noise (clacking) that gets progressively worse after it gets hot. I have changed to dyno oil, installed new S&S push rods, S&S tappets, Rocker shaft arm inserts, have inspected rocker arms, all to no avail. I have checked the adjustment (four turns on compression stroke at TDC) of the push rods multiple times. I recently conferred with an indy mechanic, who suggested it could be the cams. I am not second guessing him, but I would like confirmation what the symptoms of a bad cam (twin cam) would be. What would cause a cam to go bad? Could it involve the cam chains are out of alignment? Could the result be loud clanking noises from the top end, perhaps driven up from the cams, via the tappets, up to the push rods, and rocker arms? It starts out with a very minor sound, but after some three minutes, it grows progressively worse. This is not the typewriter kind of sound and is not normal, not even for a Harley.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,364
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From: Texas
--> What would cause a cam to go bad?
In my case, cam bearing journals failed. Cam surface hardness broke through and wore a grove where the bearing rides. Made a chirping type noise.
I would pull the rocker covers and look for broken parts and if not there, go into the cam area.
Can you post a video with sound?
In my case, cam bearing journals failed. Cam surface hardness broke through and wore a grove where the bearing rides. Made a chirping type noise.
I would pull the rocker covers and look for broken parts and if not there, go into the cam area.
Can you post a video with sound?
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 45
From: Beaumont, Ca
I am trying to record the sound and will post it as soon as I figure it out. As for the Rocker box, I had removed the cover and removed the rocker arm support plate and inspected everything. No witness marks anywhere. I listened to the sound again, and as on previous numerous occasions, the loud sound comes on right on time, at about the 3 minute mark while the bike is in the garage.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,364
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From: Texas
Sorry, overlooked the top end part in the OP.
I couldn't dial in just were my noise was. Since it didn't have a rhythm, my first look was in the cam chest.
Other areas are exhaust making contact. Pretty sure you've ruled that out.
Hard to guess without something to go with.
I couldn't dial in just were my noise was. Since it didn't have a rhythm, my first look was in the cam chest.
Other areas are exhaust making contact. Pretty sure you've ruled that out.
Hard to guess without something to go with.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 777
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From: Beaumont, Ca
Video
This is the sound I recorded. I hope it comes thru okay, but it will be sideways. I dropped off my bike at my mechanic this afternoon. They heard me coming as soon as I pulled up to their front door. He agreed this was not a normal Harley sound. He said that at minimum, it could be the cams, or worse case scenario, the crank shaft, but he would have to tear into it to give me a final opinion. From the sound he heard, he did not believe it was a top end noise, nor a tappet noise (the noise was there before I changed to S&S tappets, and still there with the new tappets). I am looking at a few thousands dollars if it is the crankcase.
Last edited by cgmartine; Mar 5, 2021 at 09:43 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Texas
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Beaumont, Ca
Although it was only a six mile ride, he also said I should have towed it. I did call around the day before to tow companies, but none of them seemed knowledgeable to safely tow a motorcycle, and I could not trust them, so I decided to ride it. I now wait for the results.
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: College Station, TX
The file would not play for me, so I just taking a guess here.
Have you checked oil pressure? Have you listened to the cam cover? A metal rod or even a 1 inch or so wooden dowel on the cam cover and held to your ear works well if you don't have a stethoscope.
Either way, I believe cam cover has to come off before something breaks and causes more damage.
thanks,
Paul
Have you checked oil pressure? Have you listened to the cam cover? A metal rod or even a 1 inch or so wooden dowel on the cam cover and held to your ear works well if you don't have a stethoscope.
Either way, I believe cam cover has to come off before something breaks and causes more damage.
thanks,
Paul