I put the SE tapered adjustable push rods in and adjusted to 2 1/2 turns like the instructions said, The valve noise is louder, I thought I read somewhere that they are a lot quieter if set to 3 turns, Before I go back in and readjust, does this sound right 3 turns? I have a 2012 103 and installed the S&S 551c cams.

 

The camshafts lobe design is probably what is causing the noise. The opening and especially the closing speeds will cause some noise to occur.

 

I'm not familiar with the specs on that particular cam, but if it has much overlap, you will get a distinctive noise from the air breather, especially if it is an open type. A lot of people think it is valve train knock, but if you listen closely, it is more of a cluck than a knock. It is the reversion caused by an echo off of the throttle body butterfly. Cover your air breather with a towel for a couple of seconds and if it is gone or reduced significantly, that's what you have. Nothing to worry about. It's just the price we pay for some of these torque cams the grinders are coming out with. BTW, a "football" air breather cover will muffle it considerably if it bothers you too much.

 

The answer to your Q is yes 3 turns and even 3 plus 1 flat or so.

 

Make sure what TPI you have, I think the tapers are 24 tpi but could be 32 TPI, count how many threads in 1 inch.
The lifters travel is 0.200, recommended preload is half or 0.100. Most guys will say 0.120-0.130 this is basically 1/4 more that the lifter is collapsed, if a mistake is made (the lifter not full of oil and it's hard to find where to start adjusting) and it collapses completely it will bend the rod and worse.

Take a pushrod and a large caliper and play with it, screw it out and count how many turns for 0.100 and how many thousands is 1 flat.

Here's a link to better understand. You may know this already?