OK, personally, I'm getting tired of talking about my "tick".. Probably as much as some of you are hearing about it.. I'm just wanting to vent a litttle and run something by you guys...

I've now got 300mi on my new top end and it still sounds like an old Singer... I took it down to replace a slightly leaking rear head gasket and take care of some cosmetics, painting and polishing and such, thinking I'd find a problem while I was in there.. I had the heads worked and ground like t150vej recomended, new valves, guides and springs. Checked for excessive play in the rods and piston pins.. Bore matched the pistons in the jugs, with a tq plate. Reassembled, then adjusted my pushrods to put the lifters midway at about .100" travel... Still ticks just like before, but I can tell its more responsive and runs great... No exhaust leaks, just valvetrain noise, seems like the front exhaust more than the others, but its all pretty noisy...

So, where am I going with this??

Last year, I replaced the rocker cover gaskets. Afterwards, I noticed the noise. It wasnt as loud before. I changed the oil several times, 3 diferent brands, running Rev Tech 20w50 now with the proper EVO filter.. Oil pressure at the switch was good(forget the number but it was in specs) with a manual gauge. I was then convinced that I had a bad lifter. So, I ordered lifters through Zanotties and replaced them, not making a difference that I could notice..

Now, being an automotive guy, I know that new doesnt always mean good. I've said and read in others comments, how insane it is to expect something so simple not to last longer than 30kmi.. I've even had new parts give pretty similar concerns as the ones they are replacing. My question to you guys, has anyone ever run into bad lifters, out of the box??

I've got a SE11 (.508") cam, that could produce more noise than stock. But, its been in there for years before I noticed the noise.. I'm ready to just ride it and ignore the tick, but something is still not right....

I feel a little better now, thanks...

 

check the front push rod. might be making slight contact with the push rod tube.,,

 

Darn, hate to hear that... and I know you do too. The valve grind deal I explained wasn't anything trick, just the correct setup that most shops won't do.

Now considering it "changed" on a prior rockerbox removal, that would be my only idea left. If that's the case, I doubt the rocker would hit the valve covewr hard enough to make a mark on the inside of the cover (but maybe) otherwise it'd be a knock rather than a tick. The rocker gaskets changed from paper to thin, coated metal some time ago and there is definitely a thickness difference.

Don't remember what year your bike is and I've never had it happen personally, but have heard many Evo owners and long since gone HD mechanics tell me that after a certain year (don't remember but seems like 90ish) that the rockers would sometimes tap the valve covers with a higher lift cam and they had to grind a spot off the rocker. I've seen very posts about the valve cover deal on here, but maybe someone who HAS run into this can give some better info. Hope so!

 

Has it always made the noise with the current cam/gear?
If it has run quietly (well, lifters anyway…) in the past with the same cam/gear setup then you can probably rule out gear backlash caused by mismatched gears.

Excessive gear backlash can also be caused by a worn cam bearing (inner), or a worn outer bushing. I would suspect the outer bushing, the inner bearings (Torrington) last just about forever.

 

Hmmmmm, I looked all over the "rocker box" for witness marks, but never thought to look at the upper!! Damn!!! That makes too much sense... Of course, I've got it all together now... I'll probably ride it a bit, then take a look, that may just be it.. Anyhow, I like your valve seat suggestion and the guy who did the work did a really nice job on the porting. I'm looking forward to opening it up when I get it all broken in..

The pushrods are pretty thick, but I payed close attention to the tube fit durring assembly and listened at the tube, I dont think thats it.. Although it does sound like it could be..

With this cam and gear, it was reletively quiet before the rocker box gaskets..

Thanks guys,

 

OK, so I ran out there and listened to it again... I've been using my stethescope with the metal end on it. Today, I listened with the open hose pressed tightly on various parts.. The only place the noise is present it in the rocker box and its loudest on the top covers.. I think we may have a winner... Man, I wish I'd have looked closer...

 

My engine got louder (tick-wise) after headwork (shaved, ported, valve job, mildly heavier valve springs) new HD lifters, SE adj pushrods and an EV27 cam. I've had several people ride it and all say they hear nothing to worry about. My front exhaust pushrod touches its cover just a wee bit right at the very top. I think that's what caused its o-ring to leak, but I'm not sure that's the source of my noise. I also checked the covers and saw no signs of the rocker hitting it. It's been two years now and I've slowly gotten used to it...sort of.

 

Have you replaced the rocker arm shafts ? As my motor approached 100k these caused an irritating rattle up top.

 

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but you are never going to eliminate all the noise.In all my years of building Harley motors,boardering on fanatical attention to detail,clearances,fit and finish.In the end the motor and all it's working components require certain clearances to function.Even setting clearances to the minimum, once the motor warms up,the oil thins,there will always be some noise,it is an aircooled motor.

 

I'm getting excited that it may be the rockers hitting the boxes. When I had it appart, I looked real close at the lower for marks and rocker arm play, but didnt see anything wrong. Its making perfect sense to me that it could be the tip of the arm hitting on the center box.. Pretty simple fix too, but I've got to drop the motor mount and pull the tank(I just put the damn thing together after 3wks)..... Since it runs so good and we've got some awesome weather today and tomorrow, I'm going to wait a little while..

I dont mind noise, it is a Harley, but this is not normal. If I could justify it, I'd live with it happily ever after. The fact that it didnt do it as badly before I changed the rocker gaskets (new style) is what keeps sending me to the boxes.. I'll definatly keep you guys posted, it appears to be an odd one, though t150vej and mtnlvr have heard of it (or experienced it)..

I appreciate all the input and ideas... Every little bit helps..