pushrod question
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
I wouldn't worry about valve train noise if I were you.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 13
From: Ohio
Just reading through this thread and yes thats a good deal on the S&S quickies and I would jump on that. As far as adjusting your push rods/ lifters...it doesnt matter what lifters you have, its the thread pitch on your push rods. So to say two turns or three turns is NOT necessarily the correct answer for you. You will need to set your pre load at half the travel of the lifter. The lifter will have 2 thou travel so you will need to set it at one thou. You will need to know the thread pitch of your push rods to get this right. You can take a set of calipers and measure one inch and count...simple....now take that number and multiply it by .6 and thats how many wrench flats it will take to get to 1 thou travel for your particular thread pitch. There is a long formula that you can go through to get to the same answer but .6 works just fine. for instance, if your thread pitch is 30 TPI it would be.....30x.6=18 so it will be 18 wrench flats to get to 1 thou travel. OOPS, just reread your post, the Johnsons will have less travel so what ever travel that is you will need to set at half....Get with the manufacturer and ask about thread pitch, hell they may have some quick reference online. The formula above is to get to 1 thou preload only.
Last edited by garry c.; Mar 7, 2019 at 09:13 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,590
Likes: 3,360
From: Cental, MI
The pushrods may rub on the top edges, I always ream them out some, about a 1/2" deep with a carbide bit in a die grinder.
Some recommend a 5/8's drill bit, I found this picture, that's reamed way too much in my opinion, I'd say ream them about half the thickness between the two in this picture.
Some recommend a 5/8's drill bit, I found this picture, that's reamed way too much in my opinion, I'd say ream them about half the thickness between the two in this picture.
Not necessary if ya listen to texas H.C. below
If you are on a budget and looking to avoid unnecessary costs, forget the adjustable pushrods, especially since you are ok with removing the rocker boxes.
Solid pushrods are not going to make more noise than adjustables, if anything, they are quieter because they are lighter.
Solid pushrods are not going to make more noise than adjustables, if anything, they are quieter because they are lighter.
Just reading through this thread and yes thats a good deal on the S&S quickies and I would jump on that. As far as adjusting your push rods/ lifters...it doesnt matter what lifters you have, its the thread pitch on your push rods. So to say two turns or three turns is NOT necessarily the correct answer for you. You will need to set your pre load at half the travel of the lifter. The lifter will have 2 thou travel so you will need to set it at one thou. You will need to know the thread pitch of your push rods to get this right. You can take a set of calipers and measure one inch and count...simple....now take that number and multiply it by .6 and thats how many wrench flats it will take to get to 1 thou travel for your particular thread pitch. There is a long formula that you can go through to get to the same answer but .6 works just fine. for instance, if your thread pitch is 30 TPI it would be.....30x.6=18 so it will be 18 wrench flats to get to 1 thou travel. OOPS, just reread your post, the Johnsons will have less travel so what ever travel that is you will need to set at half....Get with the manufacturer and ask about thread pitch, hell they may have some quick reference online. The formula above is to get to 1 thou preload only.
Buy those pushrods for when ya ever put in a Bigger cam.
Last edited by Racepres; Mar 8, 2019 at 07:45 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 464
you're going thru a lot of work just to be able to polish the rocker boxes. You wont be able to keep them polished any better than you can now after reassembly. Much easier to cut the old pushrods, install the quickees, and leave the top end and gas tank alone.
If you still want to take the topend apart anyway, you're better off sticking with the stock pushrods.
If you still want to take the topend apart anyway, you're better off sticking with the stock pushrods.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,590
Likes: 3,360
From: Cental, MI
you're going thru a lot of work just to be able to polish the rocker boxes. You wont be able to keep them polished any better than you can now after reassembly. Much easier to cut the old pushrods, install the quickees, and leave the top end and gas tank alone.
If you still want to take the topend apart anyway, you're better off sticking with the stock pushrods.
If you still want to take the topend apart anyway, you're better off sticking with the stock pushrods.
these rockers [decidedly Not EVO
http://www.amraonline.com/BikePics/Psudo3.jpg
were originally polished over 20 years ago...and a Bare minimum of maintenance since..
I personally Much prefer polished aluminum to Chrome... YMMV
Excuse the Composition...as This is the only shot I have of those old Rockers
these also are over 30 years since really polished up... just some maintenance..
http://www.amraonline.com/BikePics/'82rt.jpg
Last edited by Racepres; Mar 8, 2019 at 11:03 AM.
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 93
Likes: 7
From: Port Crane, NY
Thanks gents for all the input! I'm with reacepres in that I enjoy the look of polished aluminum over chrome. As for the pushrods, i bought them because it's a good deal, but will not be using them. I prefer oem stuff when it's a proven part and fits the application. In the case of a drop in cam, I think that's where I'm at here. And to be completely honest, I don't think I have the heart to take bolt cutters to perfectly decent engine components lol! Beyond all that, there are three reasons I have the bike that I do. First, I truly enjoy riding it (duh). Second, I love looking at it. For me, an FLHP with a carburated evo is the perfect motorcycle, aesthetically speaking. It sits on the porch that's covered during the riding months and on the nights I don't ride, I have no problem sitting in the chair killing beers and looking at it. Third, I sincerely enjoy tinkering on it. On these cold days and nights, sitting with the FSM, checking this forum and slowly tearing into the ol gal is therapy for a guy like me. This bike has done everything I had hoped it would and, ironically, none of those things are really performance based, per-se. These machines are far more organic than the newer iron and I'm grateful to have found this forum with many like minded folks, many differing opinions and a vast depth of knowledge 
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,590
Likes: 3,360
From: Cental, MI
Thanks gents for all the input! I'm with reacepres in that I enjoy the look of polished aluminum over chrome. As for the pushrods, i bought them because it's a good deal, but will not be using them. I prefer oem stuff when it's a proven part and fits the application. In the case of a drop in cam, I think that's where I'm at here. And to be completely honest, I don't think I have the heart to take bolt cutters to perfectly decent engine components lol! Beyond all that, there are three reasons I have the bike that I do. First, I truly enjoy riding it (duh). Second, I love looking at it. For me, an FLHP with a carburated evo is the perfect motorcycle, aesthetically speaking. It sits on the porch that's covered during the riding months and on the nights I don't ride, I have no problem sitting in the chair killing beers and looking at it. Third, I sincerely enjoy tinkering on it. On these cold days and nights, sitting with the FSM, checking this forum and slowly tearing into the ol gal is therapy for a guy like me. This bike has done everything I had hoped it would and, ironically, none of those things are really performance based, per-se. These machines are far more organic than the newer iron and I'm grateful to have found this forum with many like minded folks, many differing opinions and a vast depth of knowledge
Neat Bike...had a Close Friend [now deceased] had its twin...sure was a nice Ride... Enjoy.
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