Maybe someone can help me on this problem? I have a 1996 hd fatboy, with an S&S top end. I just recently had the engine fully rebuilt. Since I brought the engine home and installed it I have had a loud ticking noice coming from the front cylinders valvetrain. I have soforth replaced the lifters with kind lifters and replaced the lifter tappet blocks. I have also adjusted the pushrods several times. Also to add it only start ticking after it's warmed up. I am at wits end and if anyone can help at all it would be very well appreciated!

 

What are "kind" lifters?

 

Sounds more like unkind lifters ..

 

Check if its your pushrods hitting against the inside of the pushrod tubes. This is quite common on EVO's with adjustable pushrods because they're fatter. Especially the front one because of the angle.

Try wiggling the tube back and forth to see if the sound goes away or changes.

 

I'll try that today! It was supposed to say jims lifters, when I spun the pushrods they looked ok and it's only after it warms up for a few minutes keep in mind. Last night I listened to my neighbors evo and it was church mouse quiet! The pushrods are the only thing I can think that I have left to replace

 

My EVO ticks every now and then. If it's running good and not blowing black smoke everywhere I wouldn't worry about it. It's just being a Harley.

 

When its ticking louder than your exhaust you kinda start to worry

 

I'm running Jim's lifters in an Evo also. Check the axle shaft on the lifter itself, it may be sticking out enough to rub on the lifter block. I had to surface-grind about .015" off of one of mine. Works well now and is silent.

 

An EVO that's quiet as a church mouse. Was it running?

It's not odd to hear an EVO ticking. Valve train ticking is normal considering those mechanisms are only under an aluminum cover right at the top of the motor where you can hear them even better.

Unless of course you run aftermarket pipes that are louder and cover up the engine's tick.

The viscosity of the oil changes as it gets warmer and components (especially aluminum) tolerances change too. This may explain why some have noise cold (mine) and then warm up and run quieter.

This is why some prefer dino oil. It tends to cushion the sound different than syn oil.

 

Give the offending pushrod another 1/8 to 1/4 turn see if it helps , adjustment specs are cover all general settings that work for most engines some need a bit more or less to find that motors happy spot particularly with aftermarket parts involved .