QuestionQUESTION: I have an '03 Fatboy with 1550 kit,carb., 203 cams, high flow air cleaner/exhaust, 10,000 miles. Recently I've noticed a considerably loud ticking sound(like someone's shaking a bottle of Tylenol) in the engine area--mostly on left side. Local Harley dealer said primary chain was good, but told me not to worry they all make a noise. The noise was not there before/after the kit was in(2 years ago)but is now. I hear it over my pipes!! What do you think? I want to prevent further $$ damage.
ANSWER: Your ticking is probably a lifter. Alot of Harleys have this ticking sound, even my personnel bike.
Its the valve lash in the lifter that is doing it. To get ride of the noise you would have to change the lifters.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for the info. How extensive is a lifter replacement and can just the bad lifter be replaced, or all 4. Hydraulic or solid?
Answerthe problem is finding the right one. They are so close to each other that it is hard to tell which one is bad, so your better off replacing all of them.
In order the replace the lifters the rocker boxes have to come off to get the pushrods out, unless you install adjustabel pushrods. Then you can just cut the old pudhrods out.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike
