'95 FXDWG - Eerie Random Engine Noise
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
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From: Upstate New York
Or, it may be that the pushrod is simply bent, and randomly hitting the pushrod tube. I've found that quality (read: straightness) of adjustable pushrods can be an "iffy" proposition, even right out of the box, as they are brazed or welded together out of several pieces.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,091
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From: Poolville
If you do indeed have a bent pushrod them i would not run it any longer. I assumed the motor was stock Obviously it's not. I think you are going too be to pulling the head. Have you been running the motor to the rev limiter before the noise started....? I wouldn't think a broken spring, cause it would run but on one cylinder maybe if the valve didn't drop. If the pushrods did not loosen up from running then i would think slight piston to valve contact which will still allow the motor to run but with slight sputters here and there that you already indicated. I would contact the previous owner to find out what he did to the motor. Plan on tearing it down... Sorry dude...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Not sure if you got an answer but if you can hear something above the random idle Harley compensator racket, then good luck. That random of the idle due to the uneven 270 (4 stroke remember, so not 180) firing order and sound travels all over thru the motor. Get you a two ear mechanics stethoscope and listen. Mine sounds like a rotary tiller in a gravel bed but everthing is like a sewing machine with the stethoscope. Been that way for the last 25K Sure saves taking things apart for nothing. Most of the time, unless you tear it way down you are not going to see anything and most any roller bearing is going to have a few marks and then you just scratch your head. If it really is a bearing or tensioners..it's NOT random. You know-it.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 26, 2016 at 09:07 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 134
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, Canada
Or, it may be that the pushrod is simply bent, and randomly hitting the pushrod tube. I've found that quality (read: straightness) of adjustable pushrods can be an "iffy" proposition, even right out of the box, as they are brazed or welded together out of several pieces.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 134
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, Canada
If you do indeed have a bent pushrod them i would not run it any longer. I assumed the motor was stock Obviously it's not. I think you are going too be to pulling the head. Have you been running the motor to the rev limiter before the noise started....? I wouldn't think a broken spring, cause it would run but on one cylinder maybe if the valve didn't drop. If the pushrods did not loosen up from running then i would think slight piston to valve contact which will still allow the motor to run but with slight sputters here and there that you already indicated. I would contact the previous owner to find out what he did to the motor. Plan on tearing it down... Sorry dude...
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 134
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, Canada
Not sure if you got an answer but if you can hear something above the random idle Harley compensator racket, then good luck. That random of the idle due to the uneven 270 (4 stroke remember, so not 180) firing order and sound travels all over thru the motor. Get you a two ear mechanics stethoscope and listen. Mine sounds like a rotary tiller in a gravel bed but everthing is like a sewing machine with the stethoscope. Been that way for the last 25K Sure saves taking things apart for nothing. Most of the time, unless you tear it way down you are not going to see anything and most any roller bearing is going to have a few marks and then you just scratch your head. If it really is a bearing or tensioners..it's NOT random. You know-it.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 441
From: Tejas
Have you tried just adjusting the pushrod to see if it is just out a bit? If they are time savers or similar, they'll come out without popping the covers to check for a bent pushrod.
Could also be a lifter starting to get a bit weak and needing replacement.
Griz
Could also be a lifter starting to get a bit weak and needing replacement.
Griz
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 134
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, Canada
I've got the cover off and nothing eerie is jumping out at me. I pulled the plugs and put it into 5th gear to roll it over a bit and again, nothing looking bad at the moment. Side play in the rockers equal and not much really. Can't feel any play in the rocker bushing to speak of, but it would still be under a little bit of load I guess with the pushrod still in place...
Here is a shot of the spring setup, not sure if it is stock or not. I suppose with aftermarket adjustable pushrods, one would assume this thing may have an uprated cam perhaps.
Here is a shot of the spring setup, not sure if it is stock or not. I suppose with aftermarket adjustable pushrods, one would assume this thing may have an uprated cam perhaps.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 134
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, Canada
Well, well ,well, well, well. I got poking around on the valves spring and have found the culprit, a broken inner spring. So the two pieces are held captive by the outer spring and every now and then it must be binding with the outer spring causing the random metallic sound and also bending the push rod!
So, now I need to hit the manual to figure out the repair process and get some parts ordered.
I'd love to know how that spring broke? We do a lot of mower racing with built V-twins and I've built some pulling engines too and never had a broke spring. Had everything else, bent valves, stuck guides, broken retainers, weak/tired springs, but never did break one.
So, now I need to hit the manual to figure out the repair process and get some parts ordered.
I'd love to know how that spring broke? We do a lot of mower racing with built V-twins and I've built some pulling engines too and never had a broke spring. Had everything else, bent valves, stuck guides, broken retainers, weak/tired springs, but never did break one.