Lifters and setting pushrods
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2021
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From: CT
Lifters and setting pushrods
Not sure where to start. I have been reading a lot about noise, ticking, and adjusting the pushrods. Bike is an 03 Road King. Motor has been built, 14.1 compression. Over the winter I had a problem. Broke an exhaust stud off on the front cylinder. Had to pull the head. Put everything back together and it seemed to run fine. The only issue was noise from the front head. At certain rpm it would make a hell of a noise. Drove the bike home. Checked the oil, decided to change it with Harley 20-50 syn. Noise wasn't as bad until I road it for a while.
Now I went to recheck the adjustment on the pushrods, front cylinder. Set the motor at top dead center. Took all the slack out of the rods. 24tpi, 2.5 turns.
Waited for the lifters to spring back up. The exhaust pushrod I can set the 2.5 turns without using a wrench. Fingers only. The intake rod I need to use wrenches.
I think I have a bad lifter. Does that sound about right? Also, if I change the lifters. Can I just change the 2 on the front cylinder?
Thanks
Now I went to recheck the adjustment on the pushrods, front cylinder. Set the motor at top dead center. Took all the slack out of the rods. 24tpi, 2.5 turns.
Waited for the lifters to spring back up. The exhaust pushrod I can set the 2.5 turns without using a wrench. Fingers only. The intake rod I need to use wrenches.
I think I have a bad lifter. Does that sound about right? Also, if I change the lifters. Can I just change the 2 on the front cylinder?
Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,691
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From: Massachusetts
Not sure where to start. I have been reading a lot about noise, ticking, and adjusting the pushrods. Bike is an 03 Road King. Motor has been built, 14.1 compression. Over the winter I had a problem. Broke an exhaust stud off on the front cylinder. Had to pull the head. Put everything back together and it seemed to run fine. The only issue was noise from the front head. At certain rpm it would make a hell of a noise. Drove the bike home. Checked the oil, decided to change it with Harley 20-50 syn. Noise wasn't as bad until I road it for a while.
Now I went to recheck the adjustment on the pushrods, front cylinder. Set the motor at top dead center. Took all the slack out of the rods. 24tpi, 2.5 turns.
Waited for the lifters to spring back up. The exhaust pushrod I can set the 2.5 turns without using a wrench. Fingers only. The intake rod I need to use wrenches.
I think I have a bad lifter. Does that sound about right? Also, if I change the lifters. Can I just change the 2 on the front cylinder?
Thanks
Now I went to recheck the adjustment on the pushrods, front cylinder. Set the motor at top dead center. Took all the slack out of the rods. 24tpi, 2.5 turns.
Waited for the lifters to spring back up. The exhaust pushrod I can set the 2.5 turns without using a wrench. Fingers only. The intake rod I need to use wrenches.
I think I have a bad lifter. Does that sound about right? Also, if I change the lifters. Can I just change the 2 on the front cylinder?
Thanks
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https://university.fuelmotousa.com/a...n-cam-engines/
Last edited by jake24lt; Jul 1, 2022 at 05:47 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 5,315
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From: Granville New York
14:1 compression? That's gonna be a joy. Lol. Yes you can replace one, two or whatever number if lifters you want. It sounds like you definitely have a lifter problem, theres no way you should be able to adjust it without wrenches. And yes the other guy was correct, you're a little light on your adjustment. It's usually recommended to set them at .130-.140 into the lifter.
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2021
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From: CT
Well it is back together. I set the pushrods a little over 3 turns. It runs rides good. I haven't taken it for that 1/2 hour or more ride to see if the noise is still there. Maybe tomorrow. Might have to go with rocker lockers.
Now the question about the motor. I am not going to tell the whole story because no one believes it. So, I bought the bike from the guy that bought it brand new. He had the motor built to his specs before he got it from the dealer. His uncle was an NHRA drag racer, so he was into drag racing from a young age. All I know is what he told me. 14.1, cams, he had it built to a 103 screaming eagle everything, except for the baker 6 speed. the only other thing I see is a S&S speedo re-calibrator hooked up. Looks like a stock ECM. He had it tuned and put on the dyno. He doesn't remember the H.P. He is 72 now and that was 20 years ago.
Anyone use Rocker Lockers?
Now the question about the motor. I am not going to tell the whole story because no one believes it. So, I bought the bike from the guy that bought it brand new. He had the motor built to his specs before he got it from the dealer. His uncle was an NHRA drag racer, so he was into drag racing from a young age. All I know is what he told me. 14.1, cams, he had it built to a 103 screaming eagle everything, except for the baker 6 speed. the only other thing I see is a S&S speedo re-calibrator hooked up. Looks like a stock ECM. He had it tuned and put on the dyno. He doesn't remember the H.P. He is 72 now and that was 20 years ago.
Anyone use Rocker Lockers?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 439
From: florida
Screaming eagle everything woa nice. Did they offer a kit at 14:1? Maybe they did. Maybe it’s a 103 making 130+ too. I can see why a race inspired guy would lean on SE parts, smart guy. And with that compression and hp I understand why he’d forget the numbers it made. All makes sense to me.
Road Captain
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From: Sierra foothills
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Batcave
Haha, thanks that made me chuckle
I considered all parts of this thread except for the 14:1 compression part. Gotta be a typo or misunderstanding and likely irrelevant to your key issue/s anyway.
Pushrod adjustment is definitely worth a look. If its a dodgey lifter, Id be inclined to change all four given youre already in there.
Good luck and hope youre well on track to sorting it out
I considered all parts of this thread except for the 14:1 compression part. Gotta be a typo or misunderstanding and likely irrelevant to your key issue/s anyway.
Pushrod adjustment is definitely worth a look. If its a dodgey lifter, Id be inclined to change all four given youre already in there.
Good luck and hope youre well on track to sorting it out
Last edited by Arseclown; Jul 3, 2022 at 08:44 PM.