Sometimes it's simpler than you think

[RKTony]

I began to experience a soft "ticking" noise that was coming from the left side. I have the typical TC88 valve train noise, but this was definately a bit louder and more isolated. It ran fine, and wasnt hindering performance. I did a visual inspection, but couldnt find where it was coming from. I tried listening to and feeling for the ticking noise, which became more of a tapping noise, which began to really be more pronounced. All kinds of things ran through my head... If it was lifters or pushrods, I should be hearing it from the right side, or feeling it through the pushrod tubes, but I couldnt. Nothing from the rocker boxes either. The noise seemed lower than that. So, I came in here and started reading some posts, and after reading many that were close to what I was hearing, decided to check out the primary. After checking the chain, adjuster, compensator, etc...I found everything to be perfect. Damn!

So after buttoning it up, I just happened glance at the front plug wire and low and behold, up out of view I saw something on the wire. I removed the wire and found it chaffed and the core was showing in two spots. It had been arcing against a bracket completely hidden from view under the tank. Previously I thought about the wires and checked them one night to see if I could see an arc in the dark, but never saw anything. I changed the wires with the larger 10mm wires, and a fresh set of plugs, and just as suspected, the noise is gone.

I am so amazed at how loud the spark was as it arced. It sounded like an old Chevy solid lifter banging away. But I am glad that it was something totally simple and inexpensive, rather than costly and down time. And hey, I got a fresh set of plugs and primary change out of it as well. By the way, I used ATF+4 in the primary, and definately can fel a difference.

[Krayven Sumhead]

The head bolt covers some people install have been known to chaff the wires and short them out. They also hold water from the rain and washing.