I hadnt really gotten there yet. I looked at the Screamin Eagle's at first because 1-I've had goot results with SE stuff before and dont have a hard on against the company. and 2-I hadnt heard anything great about any other brand. So, I'm still conflicted on if I'll add them or not. I have a hard time considering a $135 set of no name's, because of the risk associated with their failure. But, the $250 for a SE set seems rediculous to me since I could outfit a small block Ford for less.. The way its looking, I may just stay stock, since it seems highly unlikely that this antique design would last 100k w/o a valve job of any kind, anyhow... No one has been able to reply with their great success, so far, by using them either. So, I'm still open, until I dive into the project in the next month or so, but right now, I'll probably spend the money elsewhere..

 

When you take the engine apart check the pushrods out for wear marks on the sides. They could be hitting the sides of the tubes, or could be bent slightly, that will give you a "ticking" noise too. Check the inside of the rocker boxes for at least .060", preferably .080" clearance around the retainers and springs. We've cured "ticking" noises by checking and fixing problems in those areas. We use quality roller rockers in most of our engines with no problems. In the early years there were problems. But now if you buy a brand name you shouldn't have any problems. Hope this helps.

 

I believe Harleys lend themselves best to lower and midrange rpm power builds. High RPM Harley engines (6,500 rpm and above) need special attention to detail, as you might imagine, and would benefit best from stuff like roller rockers. If ya already had the roller rockers, I'd say, "Use 'em." But since you haven't spent the dough yet, I would spend it elsewhere.
I am running an S&S Evo crate engine that has 'em but I would not have installed them if I had built the engine. I just don't spin that engine fast enough to warrant their use.

 

my front exhaust valve sounded so loud for awhile, I was convinced I must have had a valve guide come loose, but like you the bike still ran great. After some poking around I fuond the nut on the front exhaust stud had backed off some and the exhaust had blown a small piece our..loosened exhaust and replaced exhaust gasket...retightened NEW exhaust nuts and noise went away

 

All good info guys.. Thanks..

I'll have to look closer at the rocker box clearence. I did do gaskets before the noise came about, but I dont remember the tick starting right afterwards.. Could be...

I replaced the lifters and pushrods recently, no scratches, same noise.

I listened to the exhaust with a stethescope, as well as tightened the nuts. No dice there either..

Thanks again..

 

We had an FLHTC in the shop last summer that the owner had replaced the rocker box gaskets and it started ticking shortly after. It turned out that two of the 5/16" bolts had loosened up. Checked out everything and re-torqued all the bolts in both heads. That quited it all down. Hope this helps.

 

Interesting....I did pull the front(top) cover off to take a look after the noise developed. But, I was looking more for somthing obvious or a clearance issue and didnt see anything, so I wrote it off..

If thats the case, I'll notice it on disassembly and make note of it when I do the valvejob and rings..

Thanks,