Lifter question
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Joined: Oct 2019
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From: StLouis
Lifter question
My 83 flht has rebuilt top end all stock except bore and pistons which are 30 over. New A2 cam and new hydraulic lifters.
I have read and followed a few builds in this forum and I can never tell what is best to use as far as lifters, solids or hydraulics. All of my other bikes ( bmw and Moto Guzzi) have solid lifters and I adjust and set them myself. This is my first shovelhead and have no experience with hydraulic lifters. My bike stars and runs well, real quiet and smooth until it is warmed up after a mile or two and things loosen up and your hear the rockers clacking and and I think I hear some ticking from the lifters. I assume this is normal. My question is what is best for my bike Hydraulic or solid lifters. What are the advantages or disadvantage between the two? I have no problem adjusting the valves periodically if that is the way to go. Or should I just leave it alone and forget about it.
I have read and followed a few builds in this forum and I can never tell what is best to use as far as lifters, solids or hydraulics. All of my other bikes ( bmw and Moto Guzzi) have solid lifters and I adjust and set them myself. This is my first shovelhead and have no experience with hydraulic lifters. My bike stars and runs well, real quiet and smooth until it is warmed up after a mile or two and things loosen up and your hear the rockers clacking and and I think I hear some ticking from the lifters. I assume this is normal. My question is what is best for my bike Hydraulic or solid lifters. What are the advantages or disadvantage between the two? I have no problem adjusting the valves periodically if that is the way to go. Or should I just leave it alone and forget about it.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: la la land jerzey
Noise comes from rocker arms having too much side to side movement
noise comes from the lifters in the lifter blocks has a bit more play then new
and sure some could be the lifters - could you add 3 nut flats to the one you find making some sound sure -
adding solids the noise is even more - reason drag pipes were invented
noise comes from the lifters in the lifter blocks has a bit more play then new
and sure some could be the lifters - could you add 3 nut flats to the one you find making some sound sure -
adding solids the noise is even more - reason drag pipes were invented
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 905
Likes: 206
From: Minneapolis
I knew John would weigh in on lifters - most people complain of noise on start up from valve train - not after warmed up - would suggest you may have some worn tolerances in rocker arms or lifter bores - could also be thin oil not holding in the lifter - solids will help you get rid of weak lifters and guarantee your lift is on spec - but they are noisy - go by the cam spec on solids or hydraulics - bigger lift (over 450) go solids as a general rule - lifters are a major topic on almost every HD forum - I'm surprised others have not chimed in here - John may know how much lift is lost with HD lifters - typical loss of actual lift is near 030 for many hydraulic lifters - more on the noise - you could also have loose rollers on the tappets - your noise could also be loose clearance on the pinion gear and cam gear - as the lifter rolls over the cam lobe - the force reverses and the gear clicks back against a loose pinion gear
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: la la land jerzey
Its .060 Ferg reason they fall off after 5000 — stock they go back to 350 lift
evo hydro solids pump out and add .060 to the lift at 6800 and stay to top rpms - we have had rockers crack top covers from hitting them at hi RPM and then they leak oil
evo hydro solids pump out and add .060 to the lift at 6800 and stay to top rpms - we have had rockers crack top covers from hitting them at hi RPM and then they leak oil
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