Noisy valve lifter
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 101
Likes: 22
From: Italy
Noisy valve lifter
Ticking valve-lifters
When the engine warms up, after 2-3 miles, the noise from the valves or the rocker box starts to make a lot of noise.
I drove another 5-8 miles, and the noise persists.
If I start it again the next day, it's the same for 2-3 miles, normal, then it becomes noisy.
I checked, and the oil is flowing (and circulating) into the rocker box.
I have an oil pressure gauge mounted on the crankcase, where the filter is (It's been there for 10 years).
The gauge activates, always for the first 2-3 miles. After 2-3 miles, the pressure returns to 0, no pressure is shown, and the noise from the rocker box begins.
I adjusted the push rods and checked the oil circuit.
I disassembled the oil pump, the gear box, and cleaned all the breathers.
The oil flows properly.
All checks were performed with the engine off, cranking it over with a kickstarter.
With the engine running, I checked that the oil was returning to the tank.
Any suggestions?
When the engine warms up, after 2-3 miles, the noise from the valves or the rocker box starts to make a lot of noise.
I drove another 5-8 miles, and the noise persists.
If I start it again the next day, it's the same for 2-3 miles, normal, then it becomes noisy.
I checked, and the oil is flowing (and circulating) into the rocker box.
I have an oil pressure gauge mounted on the crankcase, where the filter is (It's been there for 10 years).
The gauge activates, always for the first 2-3 miles. After 2-3 miles, the pressure returns to 0, no pressure is shown, and the noise from the rocker box begins.
I adjusted the push rods and checked the oil circuit.
I disassembled the oil pump, the gear box, and cleaned all the breathers.
The oil flows properly.
All checks were performed with the engine off, cranking it over with a kickstarter.
With the engine running, I checked that the oil was returning to the tank.
Any suggestions?
Last edited by FXWG'80; Sep 10, 2025 at 05:23 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 101
Likes: 22
From: Italy
Ticking
I rebuilt the engine.
I didn't replace the valves.
I replaced the rocker arm spacers, springs (OEM), and valve stem gaskets.
I've driven 100 miles so far.
The ticking comes when the engine warms up.
I rebuilt the engine.
I didn't replace the valves.
I replaced the rocker arm spacers, springs (OEM), and valve stem gaskets.
I've driven 100 miles so far.
The ticking comes when the engine warms up.
Last edited by FXWG'80; Sep 10, 2025 at 05:26 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,169
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From: australia
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Did you shim the rocker arms or left them as it came? HD changed the end play spec to .025" as acceptable to eliminate manpower and time on the assembly line, they get noisy if you don't shim down under .010" .
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 101
Likes: 22
From: Italy
I cleaned and dried the tappets, drilled a hole inside, cleaned and bled the hydraulic lifters, and adjusted all the pushrods.
Yes, I replaced a couple of lifters. Hydraulic unit by Daytona (W&W)
The first thing I checked were the hydraulic points. Removed and cleaned them, they seem to be doing their job.
The ticking noise comes from both rocker boxes.
Yes, I replaced a couple of lifters. Hydraulic unit by Daytona (W&W)
The first thing I checked were the hydraulic points. Removed and cleaned them, they seem to be doing their job.
The ticking noise comes from both rocker boxes.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 101
Likes: 22
From: Italy
But wanting to exclude the valve lifters, I think I'll have to measure the shims again
The loud ticking comes from both rocker boxes.
Is it possible that the spacers expand in the heat? (After 3-5 miles)
Last edited by FXWG'80; Sep 11, 2025 at 02:43 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Long Island, New York
Listen to Twisted, but first throw the Clymer manual in the garbage and find a proper HD Factory Service Manual, hard copy or electronic. Clymer does not cover the nuances of different year motors like a FSM, good luck.
