Very loud tapping randomly...exhaust leak, lifter?
#31
Join Date: Sep 2021
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Good to hear you found the source, and its not the bottom end.
It's always easy to be an expert after the fact, but using a mechanic's stethoscope to exactly locate the source of a knock or rattle before tearing the engine down can save a lot of time and money.
Back in the bad old days when we were too poor to buy a fancy stethoscope, we used to stick a long screw driver against the engine and jam the end of the handle in our ear and listen that way. It works, but not as good as the proper stethoscope, which you can buy cheap these days.
It's always easy to be an expert after the fact, but using a mechanic's stethoscope to exactly locate the source of a knock or rattle before tearing the engine down can save a lot of time and money.
Back in the bad old days when we were too poor to buy a fancy stethoscope, we used to stick a long screw driver against the engine and jam the end of the handle in our ear and listen that way. It works, but not as good as the proper stethoscope, which you can buy cheap these days.
#32
True. I guess the issue here is the bike was not running anymore so I only got one shot at listening to it while I was out riding. No big deal. It's not much more work to tear down the rest of the way and I needed to replace the timing seal on the cam cover and wanted to re-powder the primary cover anyway. It's a good idea with a bad lifter to pull the heads and make sure you didn't damage any valves, so really it just cost me a little time and some new piston wire locks.
Last edited by OCSpringer; 11-01-2023 at 05:01 PM.
The following users liked this post:
John Harper (11-02-2023)
#33
#34
#35
#36
No they're just covers. Got tired of using rags. They don't help with the exhaust gaskets but I switched over to the copper gaskets as they are way easier to install and they don't kink and protrude into the port like the stock gaskets tend to do. The copper ones you just slightly bent so they are oval and they stick in the port opening without falling out. Never had one leak.
#37
One thing I did notice was the 3rd head bolt on the front head wants to walk back slightly when torqued, so when torqued it reverses a hair at the highest torque. I am not sure why that is. My thoughts is the stud is flexing a little beyond a certain torque. I think it will be fine but I am going to replace all the studs the next time I have to take the top end off.
Last edited by OCSpringer; 11-06-2023 at 10:02 AM.
#38
The following users liked this post:
John Harper (11-06-2023)
#39
The following 2 users liked this post by OCSpringer:
Andy from Sandy (11-06-2023),
John Harper (11-06-2023)
#40
One thing I did notice was the 3rd head bolt on the front head wants to walk back slightly when torqued, so when torqued it reverses a hair at the highest torque. I am not sure why that is. My thoughts is the stud is flexing a little beyond a certain torque. I think it will be fine but I am going to replace all the studs the next time I have to take the top end off.
Last edited by OCSpringer; 11-19-2023 at 08:12 AM.