QuestionMike, today after the bike was good and hot, I increased the timing a degree or two. The noise was so bad/embarasing. I decrease the timing below the norm (norm meaning below where it normaly was run, no way of checking the actual timing setting). The noise softed so much I could barely hear it. It was still there but faint. What do you think?
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It might take a while, but I will check and let you know.
Woody
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It was a stock cam supplied by G & R racing here in Germany (crane or S & S, can't remember). Changing cams did not do away with the noise. I checked the lifters this weekend, they were all working fine. I do notice that the noise changes when I increase or retard the timing. When I increase, the noise gets much louder and retard, it gets softer. When the engine is cold the noise is very loud and once it gets hot the sound tends to be muffled (softer), but still present even with loud pipes. Sounds like a valve on the front cylinder is smaking the piston. Lastly, at 3000 rpm its loud then disipates and back again around 4000 rpm. When I hammer it (heavy on the throttle) once it is warmed up I don't hear it unless I am in a gear to high for the speed at which I am going (as in bogging the engine) then I will hear it.
Thanks again,
Woody
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I will adjust the lifters today and let you know if that works. I use super premium (top fuel), and have checked the plugs for metallic specks as was mentioned in previous listings, none were found. I am on my second set of lifters (both sets bought new stock), both were checked, the last set were checked when we replaced the cam (cam replace on suspension of bad lobe). The rockers were visually inspected and we checked for any up/down and side play in the rockers, none were found.
Can weak springs or bad rocker boxes cause this noise also?
I am in the military and live in Germany, it is hard to find a true Harley mechanic that has been working on HDs long enough to really know what is going on.
So thanks for the expedient response, you are doing a great service for all Harley owners.
Woody
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Mike, I am amazed at the extent of your knowledge on Harleys, blows my mind. I have a 94 Ultra classic (evo). I took it to a dealer to get all the cyclinder gaskets replaced (had oil leak at bottom of jug). While in the shop, they notice that a piston pin retaning ring came loose and gouged the cylinder wall. It was bored out, oversized pistons and rings were put in, new piston pins and clips, valves reseated, rocker shaft bushings replaced, new lifters and stock pushrods replaced and placed back together. After all that work, I had major tapping noise in the top end. My new mechanic took the top end apart and checked everything and found nothing wrong. He replaced my lifters but noise was still there. We replaced the cam, that did not work either. The only thing that has not been replaced were the valve springs and rocker boxes. I will try to adjust the lifters tomorrow as you have instructed others for this same problem. If they were not adjusted properly when installed (after riding for more then four months), would this cause major damage. I have also heard about detonation, any word on that? What do I do next, it is driving me nuts.
Thanks, Woody
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try adjusting your pushrods first.Detonation is a pre fire in teh combustion chamber. Its not really good, but it only happens under a hard load. run high test gas and that will stop it.
Were the bearings checked on the bottom of the lifters? Also, were the rockers checked?
Mike
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What cam did you install?
Mike
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Check your valves, you might have a bent one
Mike
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I will await your answer
Mike
AnswerI think what youa re going to have to do is remove the heads and do an inspection. You could have a broken spring, bent valve, or the valves might be just touching each other.
You might want to check the rollers in the lifters as wellas the cam bearing just to be sure.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike
