pushrod adjusting questions
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 199
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From: Sanford, North Carolina
pushrod adjusting questions
how is everyone! hope all is well.
I just wanted to ask how yall adjust the pushrods on an ironhead. i've adjusted them to have a little play when they were cold, and tried running that way, then the other day just after i adjusted the cold pushrods, after i ran the bike for a while and got the engine warm, i pulled the covers to check the play and some were tight and some were loose. i then re-adjusted them while they were warm so that they just barely spun in the lifters. seems like the valves will get a better seat, but when the engine is cold there may be some excessive slap in the clearance. any thoughts out there?
thanks for your opinions!
I just wanted to ask how yall adjust the pushrods on an ironhead. i've adjusted them to have a little play when they were cold, and tried running that way, then the other day just after i adjusted the cold pushrods, after i ran the bike for a while and got the engine warm, i pulled the covers to check the play and some were tight and some were loose. i then re-adjusted them while they were warm so that they just barely spun in the lifters. seems like the valves will get a better seat, but when the engine is cold there may be some excessive slap in the clearance. any thoughts out there?
thanks for your opinions!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 51
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RE: pushrod adjusting questions
I adjust them cold. You want to adjust them so there is very little play and they spin freely with your fingers. When you adjust it, the valve for that rod must be fully closed. So if the tappet for your front intake valve is up all the way(open), thats when you adjust your rear rod.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 179
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From:
RE: pushrod adjusting questions
Engine must be cold to adjust the tappets, First you want to make sure the tappet you are adjusting is at it's lowest point of travel, (all the way down) This will make the other like tappet be at it's highest point of travel. (all the way up) You want to have the pushrod spin freely with no up and down motion, when you have one adjusted, on the down stroke it will spin free, that same pushrod will not spin at all when it is on the up stroke. then just repeat for the other three.. Good luck.. Hope this helps.
Daryl
Daryl
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 44
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RE: pushrod adjusting questions
As in previous threads, being cold is a must. On my shovel I`ll yank the plugs take springs and clip the push rod covers out of the way, then turn the crank over at least two full turns for each push rod, checking each time for the lowest spot (spinning the push rod with fingers or small rag). I think there is an example or thread in the "Do it yourself forum" somwhere. Make sure and check the push rod cover gaskets to see if they gotten hard or brittle. If so change. Good Luck & Happy Riddin. Daryl
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: pushrod adjusting questions
I can't add much to what has already been stated. To get the push rod at it's lowest point for adjusting, rotate the engine until the like pushrod on the other cylinder is at it's highest point.
Loosen the lock nut and turn the adjustment screw downward until the pushrod has noticeable shake. Shake the rod front to back. Turn the screw upward until nearly all the play is eliminated.
Lock the nut down and recheck for adjustment. A tappet is properly adjusted when the pushrod can just rotate freely with the finger tips all the way around without any trace of binding being felt. Repeat for the other three pushrods.
This should only be done on a stone cold engine. Never try to adjust the tappets when the engine has any heat.
Loosen the lock nut and turn the adjustment screw downward until the pushrod has noticeable shake. Shake the rod front to back. Turn the screw upward until nearly all the play is eliminated.
Lock the nut down and recheck for adjustment. A tappet is properly adjusted when the pushrod can just rotate freely with the finger tips all the way around without any trace of binding being felt. Repeat for the other three pushrods.
This should only be done on a stone cold engine. Never try to adjust the tappets when the engine has any heat.
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