without knowing where you started from but emty bottomed out 1 full turn on all except only min of 4 flats on exhausts if noisy using stock pushrods and lifters

 

Thanks Otto,
I started with 1 1/2 turns out from bottom (dry) with the valve closed on all the lifters and then checked them with the "Harley gauge" tool. (0.532")
RC Rickard

 

If you can single out the lifter try adjusting it a little more.Are you positive it is the lifter and not excessive rocker arm end play?

 

Hi guys, when I did this last rebuild I took my cylinders in to be punched out for new pistons. The cylnders were ripped off at the shop and he replaced them ones he had in the shop. Is there a possibility the replacements could have compatiblity issue causing my noise. I've checked the tappet rollers and block and replaced the hydralic units. The push rods are original but seem fine. I have not checked the rocker end play. The noise is in the rear cylinder but I can't tell which valve for sure. The cylinders he gave me are not matched. The front one has a fitting for a push rod oiler that is plugged and the rear does not, my originals did not have these fittings. Everyone I talk to says this is OK. I believe my FXE is an early 1981 for it has a dry clutch. I also had new SS valves installed. The front cylinder seems fine. I have no performance issues, just the tapping noise that starts about 1 minute from a cold start and comes and goes at different RPM's. It's pretty quiet at 2K. The noise seem to come from the bottom of the valve train. I love this old shovel, whats going on?
Thanks
RC Rickard

 

Had several shovels,most of mine were converted to solids.What I can say is these old birds always had a little noise coming from somewhere.One was excessive rockerarm end play,another pushrods hitting pushrod tubes.When running hydraulic lifters remember having to tweak one or two pushrods to quiet them down.Actually tried all kinds of things,finally in the quest for more power went to solids and learned to love the ticking.Borrow a mechanics Stethoscope to zero in on source of ticking go from there.Good Luck and have fun.

 

Thanks Dog155
I have a stethoscope but still could not tell if it was the intake or exhaust. I pulled the rod off the scope and tried using it as a close ear and the loudest point was was about mid-point at the rod covers. I think I will try the solids if my end play is good. I rolled the push rods on a flat surface and they looked good but I may try some new ones.
RC Rickard

 

My stroker shovel had the pushrods hitting the covers.To solve that problem picked up a set of pushrod angle fixers and cannot remember what the Co name was.What this kit did after taking out the hydraulic lifter you pressed in new pushrod seats that offset the location of the exhaust pushrods getting the pushrods away from the covers.Maybe someone will chime in where to get this kit.
The other thing is learn how to adjust pushrods (when cold) to make the solids very liveable almost quiet.

 

does the pushrod only tick at idle or does it tick all the time ??
shovelheads were prone to ticking at idle. It is usually the front exhaust that is the ticker. It is the farthest lifter from the oil pump and at idle there isn't enough oil pressure to keep it pumped up. Give it a little throttle and it goes away ?? The factory had a memo back in the day about this problem. there solution was to remove the f/e lifter and green loctite it so it doesn't pump up. makes it a solid. To adjust, a cold motor, lifter at bottom of cam lobe, adjust so it is snug, but can be turned with the fingers. If is to loose it'll tick after the motor warms up. make it so you can turn the p/rod with some resistance. dsv

 

Hi guys,
I went to solids and still have the noise. I'm going after the rocker end play next. When I feel up in the rocker cover with the rods out they seem pretty tight except for the front exhaust, but the noise is from the back. I'll pull the heads and check them proper and look at the valve clearance. They are new valves and guides and it runs good but there could be something. My roller tappets seemed real nice and tight but I'll look at them again.
Thanks for all your help.
RC Rickard

 

My experience is to let it clatter, as long as the tappets are set to factory specs.
It will generally go away in 5k.

Griff