So I've commuted to work twice so far on my newly rebuilt top end (all was quiet before now) and pulling up to the house I hear a real loud "TAP TAP TAP" coming from the engine. I got out my stethoscope and it's loudest from the front exhaust pushrod cover tube. I'm hopping it's just a pushrod that's not adjusted right and not a wiped cam lobe... What's the best way to troubleshoot?

I'm thinking I need to figure how to get the front exhaust lifter on the cam base circle, then loosen up the pushrod, then legthen it up until resistance is felt, then I think it's 24 flats for the S&S pushrods. And pray that fixes it. Any other suggestions?

It's a Woods W6 cam, S&S roller lifters, S&S adj pushrods, stock rockers.

 

Yep, check that pr first. Wouldnt be a bad idea to check them all if that one is loose.

 

I had 2 of my adjustable pushrods loosen up at the same time, a wee bit noisy. I was in town and close to a park. Got to the park, got out my handy dandy tool box that I put together, and fixed right there. They have been fine since.

 

Lets hope its just PR adjustment!

 

It probably is.

 

What works for me is to take out the spark plug and check that the lifter is at the bottom when the piston is at tdc on the firing stroke which can be checked with a drinking straw down the plug hole. Both valves should be closed. I would take out the front pushrod and check to see if it is hitting the cover. This has been a problem on some of the adjustables. It just may be that the pushrod has finally rotated to a place where it is hitting.

 

This is why I don't use adjustables....old skool bad voodoo if ya ask me....which you probably wouldn't....

 

the correct way to set the adjustment is like this - if its an exhaust you are after than take Both pushrod covers off both, turn the motor over till the rear is lifted at its max than adjust the front - reverse this for the rear adjustment or the intakes -- johnjzjz

 

Woods cams need to be set .150 in the lifter instead of .100 but those jam nuts can loosen up, had it happen once, sounds like a high perfomance sewing machine

 

You guys were right. I popped the cover off this morning and the pushrod is loose. The jam nut is still tight, but I easily turn both ends of the pushrod. I guess I need to really crank on the jam nut after I readjust it.

Can anyone confirm S&S pushrods are 24 flats past zero lash? I plan to fix it this weekend.