I am currently in process of changing my lifters and cams because they make too much noise when I start it and takes about 1 mile to get them quiet. They also clatter when I rev engine up as I down shift. So pulled the front two and they looked pretty good to me. Today I pulled the rear cylinder lifters and the inboard one has wear marks on it. Take a look, hope you can see the wear marks. Engine got hot several years ago when stuck in traffic, and started pinging. Had AMSOIL 20W50 synthetic. Changed last year to Mobil 1 20W50 synthetic. The roller just looks scuffed to me in several places. Comments please.

 

And what does pinging have to do with oil? Be glad you were running Amsoil. Why you would switch to that other oil is a mystery to me. Change your lifters and your problems should go away.

 

How many miles on those lifters ?

 

I have 48,985 miles on them.

 

The engine got really hot on a ride to Philly and we sat on I-95 moving about 3 feet, stop, 3 feet, stop in 100 degree weather. I was with 10 other riders, and my bike was the only one that started pinging. I think that pinging said I was frying my engine, and the oil may or may not have been the problem. At any rate, I started hearing the clatter from the lifters right after that. So I switched oil from AMSOIL to Mobil-1. I am not knocking either oil, just providing info in case it may have a bearing on the wear marks.

 

What does the cam lobe look like? That lifter is toast.

 

Yeah, ya need lifters. Newer Harley lifters SUCK! Chevy lifters are much better are cheaper and work well. What cam ya doing.

 

Lifters were bad on my 2010 Ultra with 36,000 mi. Put the SE lifters in it and put the Amsoil back in it.

 

I'd change lifters, cams, & inner cam bearings, I'd also suggest an Axtell oil bypass valve, it increases your oil pressure & reduces aeration of the oil. While you're in there check the oil pump to see signs of wear or damage.

 

I would change them even if they weren't scuffed...in my opinion, HD lifters have always been a weak point. I would use nothing but a very high quality lifter, like S&S, JIMS, Feuling, or equivalent. We're it me, I would also change the pushrods to adjustable ones, and it's a good time to consider cam replacement if you're not happy with what's in there now.