In my recent build the guy who built it out in S&S gear drives and Fueling 543 gear driven cams. The bike is ticking a lot. It has SE pushrods and I asked about readjusting them to see if the ticking goes away. His response was this

"That’s just how it is Jordan. It will always tick with any cams let alone larger then stock cams not only that the gear driven cams click every time the lifter rolls over the cam lobe". Is that correct or could it be the rods,?

 

I don't know exactly what you mean by "tic" but there a bit more noise to them, I say a bit like a sewing machine on steroids with a little whine.

 

If it is obviously too loud, then the lash is not set correctly. I had that issue on both of my 110” builds with bigger cams. Solved the problem buy switching to S&S premium lifters and quickie adjustable rods. The motor sounds noticeably quieter.

 

Have a look around my website, the original American made product might be just what you need

John @ Rockout

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For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click HERE For all Twin Cams and Evo Big Twins & Sportsters

 

A "tick" is most likely valve train lash, not from the gear driven cams. If gears are too loose, they will make more of a "clacking" nose and if too tight, they will "whine".

 

You should ask what was the runout of the pinion shaft? When going to gear driven you need to have very low runout max 0.003".
My topend sounds like a sewing machine or volvo 140 series engine. slightly annoying but no cam noise.

 

You can remove the rocker shaft and if you see the witness marks on the bolts from the shafts tapping then John's product fixes perfectly. Someone posted pics but I don't know where they are.

 

brand new S&S crank. Was less than .001" I think he said