lifter preload question
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
lifter preload question
Hi guys,
2011 road glide 103"
0.030 head gasket
heads shaved 0.015
Andrews 54H cams ( 0.020 smaller bc)
This makes my stock pushrods preload the lifters 0.010 more than recommended 0.100. I have used Jims powerglide II lifters, and am very disappointed with the amount of lifter noise. I think they would be quieter with more preload.
I have a brand new set of woods directional lifters in the box sitting there, and think that I am going to drop those in, but understand that most guys preload them to 0.140 - 0.150. This is what I've been reading.
My question is this, would you guys advise going to a 0.030 over perfect fit push rod, and using the woods? That should put me at 0.140 preload. Or should I just let this thing pound away the way it is.
I do not want to use adjustables, as I have had a bad expierence with them.
Thanks for the guidence guys
2011 road glide 103"
0.030 head gasket
heads shaved 0.015
Andrews 54H cams ( 0.020 smaller bc)
This makes my stock pushrods preload the lifters 0.010 more than recommended 0.100. I have used Jims powerglide II lifters, and am very disappointed with the amount of lifter noise. I think they would be quieter with more preload.
I have a brand new set of woods directional lifters in the box sitting there, and think that I am going to drop those in, but understand that most guys preload them to 0.140 - 0.150. This is what I've been reading.
My question is this, would you guys advise going to a 0.030 over perfect fit push rod, and using the woods? That should put me at 0.140 preload. Or should I just let this thing pound away the way it is.
I do not want to use adjustables, as I have had a bad expierence with them.
Thanks for the guidence guys
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 2,597
From: san antonio
Hi guys,
2011 road glide 103"
0.030 head gasket
heads shaved 0.015
Andrews 54H cams ( 0.020 smaller bc)
This makes my stock pushrods preload the lifters 0.010 more than recommended 0.100. I have used Jims powerglide II lifters, and am very disappointed with the amount of lifter noise. I think they would be quieter with more preload.
I have a brand new set of woods directional lifters in the box sitting there, and think that I am going to drop those in, but understand that most guys preload them to 0.140 - 0.150. This is what I've been reading.
My question is this, would you guys advise going to a 0.030 over perfect fit push rod, and using the woods? That should put me at 0.140 preload. Or should I just let this thing pound away the way it is.
I do not want to use adjustables, as I have had a bad expierence with them.
Thanks for the guidence guys
2011 road glide 103"
0.030 head gasket
heads shaved 0.015
Andrews 54H cams ( 0.020 smaller bc)
This makes my stock pushrods preload the lifters 0.010 more than recommended 0.100. I have used Jims powerglide II lifters, and am very disappointed with the amount of lifter noise. I think they would be quieter with more preload.
I have a brand new set of woods directional lifters in the box sitting there, and think that I am going to drop those in, but understand that most guys preload them to 0.140 - 0.150. This is what I've been reading.
My question is this, would you guys advise going to a 0.030 over perfect fit push rod, and using the woods? That should put me at 0.140 preload. Or should I just let this thing pound away the way it is.
I do not want to use adjustables, as I have had a bad expierence with them.
Thanks for the guidence guys
I woud not let it pound away; I hate valve train noise and will go to great lengths to eliminate it. Short answer is that I would try the Woods, since you have them on the shelf. If they don't work, you can sell them easy enough. There have been mixed results reported; some report a significant reduction in valve train noise and some don't. I run a set in my all bore 107" and it is quiet but I don't know what it sounded like before because I have run the Woods lifters since I built the motor.
I also have had a bad experience with adjustables but still run them but use a drop of Loctite at the threads between the bottom of the pushrod and the adjustor nut after adjusting and ready to lock them down; no issues since then. I still think adjustables are best for tryingt to sort out your problem. If you are that concerned about adjustables, you could use a set to experiment with pre-load to see if additional preload solves the problem. If it does, you can order a set of fixed length pushrods from Smith Brothers made to the exact length you need.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Can anyone recommend a good set of adjustables that allow you to use your "already powder coated" push rod tubes.
I believe that I've read here that FM makes a good set that lets you use your original tubes....
I believe that I've read here that FM makes a good set that lets you use your original tubes....
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 2,597
From: san antonio
OK, now we have the rest of the story. You can use several different adjustables with OEM tubes but adjusting isn't any fun. The FM pushrods are Smith Brothers which can be a challenge with the right tubes.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
I am very grateful to all on the site that have helped me with this build.
I owe ya guys
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 2
From: Macon, GA USA
Did the push rod kit you have all so come with push rod covers. My SE adjustable push rods came with covers that make it easier to adjust them.
I have been running adjustable SE push rods for a long time with out putting Loctie on them with out a problem. Now I do not ride really hard does this have something to do with it?
Thanks
I have been running adjustable SE push rods for a long time with out putting Loctie on them with out a problem. Now I do not ride really hard does this have something to do with it?
Thanks
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Did the push rod kit you have all so come with push rod covers. My SE adjustable push rods came with covers that make it easier to adjust them.
I have been running adjustable SE push rods for a long time with out putting Loctie on them with out a problem. Now I do not ride really hard does this have something to do with it?
Thanks
I have been running adjustable SE push rods for a long time with out putting Loctie on them with out a problem. Now I do not ride really hard does this have something to do with it?
Thanks
I had already powder coated my tubes, as I WAS NOT going to use adjustables due to the instance mentioned above. Basically , long story short, I do believe that these things failing, is a once in a lifetime kinda thing, but with the way my luck sometimes works, I have gone with non-adj. ever since. Anyway, they are installed now, and hopefully they prove me to be 100% wrong in they way I've thought about them for the last few years.....I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 2
From: Macon, GA USA
The problem I had about 6-8 yrs ago was with a SE adjustable. One of the lock nuts split in half. It scared me into never wanting to look at another adjustable. Its just one of those things though....some swear by them...some swear at them. I went with fuel moto after watching their videos, and reading a ton of reviews on this site. The pushrods themselves seem to be VERY stout. And the can be used with OEM pushrod tubes (which mine are).
I had already powder coated my tubes, as I WAS NOT going to use adjustables due to the instance mentioned above. Basically , long story short, I do believe that these things failing, is a once in a lifetime kinda thing, but with the way my luck sometimes works, I have gone with non-adj. ever since. Anyway, they are installed now, and hopefully they prove me to be 100% wrong in they way I've thought about them for the last few years.....I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.
I had already powder coated my tubes, as I WAS NOT going to use adjustables due to the instance mentioned above. Basically , long story short, I do believe that these things failing, is a once in a lifetime kinda thing, but with the way my luck sometimes works, I have gone with non-adj. ever since. Anyway, they are installed now, and hopefully they prove me to be 100% wrong in they way I've thought about them for the last few years.....I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.
Last edited by 46u; Feb 12, 2013 at 02:24 PM.
