I know... there are like a bazillion threads already on engine noises. But I just want to make sure I am going down the right path.

I put a new set of (stock HD) lifters in less than 5000 miles ago. I have been experiencing some lifter/valve noise when the motor gets warmed up but I kind of ignored it because of all the threads that say it is normal, so some extent, to have some noise.

Today, though, I started it up and immediately could tell that the noise was extremely loud. It was louder with the motor "cold" than it ever was fully warmed up. I only went about a half mile and could tell something was definitely not right so I returned home and parked it.

I let it set for a few hours and figured I would check the adjustment on the on the front exhaust pushrod (it had always seemed to me that it was the front exhaust when I would listen with my mechanic's stethescope). I backed it off and started extending the pushrod the 4 turns as specified and noticed that the lifter is bleeding down as I am adjusting it. As soon as I stop wrenching it I can grab the p/r with my fingers and spin it.

I'm pretty sure I have a new lifter block gasket and I can probably reuse one of the original (SE) lifters that I removed when I put these in. I had no reason to suspect them but not knowing the complete history of the bike and with about 20k on it I figured I would replace them just so that I wouldn't have to worry about them.

BTW, the tappet screen was clean.

Maybe I'll wait until tomorrow and try adjusting it again when the motor is really cooled off just to make sure before I remove the lifter block.

Any other suggestions?

 

I have been having some of the same problems. I have S&S lifters put in about 5,000 miles ago. I have been having some loud chatter occasionally when the bike is still cold (louder than normal). One or more of the lifters isn't pumping up like it should all the time. I am hoping to get thru the summer and going to replace all of them with HD this winter. I guess it just goes to show that they don't always last as long as they should.

 

What adjustable pushrods are you using ? Rev-tec ? 32 threads/in ? are the pushrods yellow ?

 

I am learning as well. I replaced 2 lifters in the last year. Both times the rollers had perhaps 1/16" up and down movement but nothing front to back. Both times the used oil analysis had shown iron levels above 50 ppm, and I could hear some tapping on gradual acceleration, with more rapid acceleration the exhaust hid any engine noise even though I have relatively quiet pipes. On occasion they were louder at idle after starting up, and some times they would be quiet but after stopping for gas they would be noisy when I pulled out.

I am trying Harley lifters and unlike previous times I did not soak them or try to pump them up and much like you described I could turn them as soon as I was finished adjusting them. It only took a few seconds for them to quiet down after I started it the first time and they seem pretty quiet for now. However, I had this before, after the first lifter was replaced the engine was pretty quiet for about 1000 miles, I even got back a good report that iron level was at 24 ppm but by 2400 miles I could hear the tapping again and another lifter was bad.

 

They are from a company called Maddog Big Twin Performance. The pushrods are red. Here's a link:
http://www.hdmaddog.com/Harley-David...-p3676422.html

I'm not sure about the tpi, but the instructions that came with the pushrods say 4 turns.

 

The thing is, this just started out of the blue. I had it out for a short ride the day before and didn't notice any unusual sounds when I parked it. Then it started this awful clatter the next time I started it up.

I suppose, now that I have it broke in after doing the top end over the winter, I should do an oil analysis to establish a baseline.

 

Just replaced the tappet lifters in my 93 FLHS 55 K miles ! I had a new set of HD 18523-86B lifters The front 2 orig lifters looked good the noise was the back intake lucky lucky me the roller that rides on the cam (EV-13 ) was turning eccentric ! .050 play up and down The small rollers were still inside the main body Thankyou very much ! My pushrods are rev-tec 32tpi so the adj is 4 turns down into a pumped up lifter. My procedure is to remove my adj pushrods install the new lifters/gaskets take out the spark plugs crank the motor till you see the oil coming out of the top of the new lifter (paper towel over the lifters Oil will fly Now install one lifter at a time (lifter at the bottom of the cam lobe) extend the pushrod till all side shake is gone and spinning is getting tighter Now start extending the pushrod down a full turn at a time After 2 turns the rod was getting tight sat back had a beer say 3 minutes the rod started turning in my fingers now I completed the last 2 turns (total 4 turns ) pushrod was tight again had another beer 4 minutes+or- the rod turned in my fingers Now I locked the pushrod with the locking nut Now I proceded to the next valve At the end of all lifters installed I put the trany in 5th gear(rear wheel off the ground ) and turned the rear wheel watching the lifters move up and down and spinning the pushrods at the low point of the cams Anybody fall asleep yet ? This procedure worked everytime at my shop Party on !

 

I love it George, an 18 pack to adjust four valves!! Next time maybe Rufus and I can come over and help?

 

Tell Rufus I'll supply the beer and if he behaves a gorilla biscuit or two if I can find those old tool bags That 18 pk is to consumed before this project is attempted Maybe that's why I adjusted the lifters at the top of the cam !! Haven't heard from Rufus is he back in rehab !!!

 

Well, that noise was probably the best thing that could have happened. I removed the lifter block and replaced the exhaust lifter with one of my "old" SE lifters.

As I was adjusting the pushrod the thread stripped and I could not extend the pushrod. So, I'm going on record to say that the MadDog pushrods from the source listed below are JUNK.
http://www.hdmaddog.com/Harley-David...-p3676422.html

When I first bought them, before installing them, I found that one of the pushrod adjusters was so loose in the pushrod that I could actually just pull it right out of the pushrod. They replaced it but when I called them about the one that I stripped they said I had to buy a whole new set. I called the local H-D shop and they had a set of the SE Quick-Install pushrods so I went that route.

Anyway, the motor is SO much quieter now than it ever was before so I'm glad that the lifter finally revealed itself as the culprit and forced me to change it.

BTW, did you know that it is illegal for you guys in California to install the Quick-Install pushrods for use on a street bike? It is considered a "Performance" part - go figure.