Steel Pushrods...exhaust note

[kevock1950]

I just installed a set of Andrews steel pushrods on my STD Pan motor after the aluminum Colony pushrods failed from cracks.

If I read previous posts correctly, when adjusting the steel pushrods I should do so with "heavy" drag...is this correct?

Also, once the motor has gotten warm from 5-10miles of riding, Im noticing a different exhaust note and rocker sound than what Im typically used to...would the steels produce this?

[Cotten]

Kevock!

It is the aluminum rods that need a heavy drag;
Steel rods need only be zero lash.

....Cotten

[kevock1950]

Thanks, Cotten...that may explain the change in my exhaust note as well...

[panbagger]

cotton, with steel rods what do you mean by zero lash. does that mean little or no drag on them? Scott

[Cotten]

cotton, with steel rods what do you mean by zero lash. does that mean little or no drag on them? Scott

Scott!

With solid steel rods,
"zero lash" seems to mean from the literature that there is no up-and-down play at all.

Introducing serious drag means a minimal pre-load, necessary with aluminum rods because of their different expansion.

Steel won't be perfect either (that's why hydraulics were invented), but they are far more forgiving in their range of adjustment, as they expand more closely to the top end as a whole.

A skosh of resistance is my preference for steel...
Your skosh may vary!

...Cotten

[panbagger]

so a skosh of resistance on steel rod, so do you mean not so tight that you can't spin them and not so loose that they spin really easy. so some where in between? Thanks Scott

[jdpan]

The key is zero up and down play when the valve is all the way closed. ... There should be only slight rotational resistance...

[kevock1950]

Im still wondering if the valve train noise is a little "different" and noticeable from the aluminum rods....Im noticing a "tinny" sound with the steels (set to zero-lash with a skosh of drag) that I hadnt noticed before.

I must clarify from above, that the exhaust note is also a bit raspier, but Ive had the top-end re-done (new pistons and rings, valve job and installation of exhaust seals on STD shubble-panheads)

Anyone notice a slight change in the valve train noise?

[Cotten]

Kevock!

My steel pushrod "solids" experience was always with Knucks, Shovels, and maybe a sportster when I had to.
But aluminum rods definitely make their own racket!
They go from very quiet to a clatter and then to a tickety-tack when fully warmed.

Steel rods with solids start out with a tickety-tick, clatter a little bit before they go back to their tickety-tick.

Perhaps ten miles is not enough to fully warm the pushrods;
Let us know if it gets louder,

....Cotten

[kevock1950]

Cotten:

I must again correct the above....after about 5-10 miles it takes on a "tinny" sound and remains that way...

There is no power loss, bad performance, or any other racket, just a different sound that I hadnt noticed with the aluminums...ever.

[jdpan]

Just ride it. Mine sounds like a well oiled Singer sewing machine when its at temp... You'll get used to it.

[panbagger]

I just did all the same stuff that Kevock did, and there seams to be more noise on the front head than before.I have steel push rods and solid lifters. No loss of power or performance, so I agree with jdpan just ride it. If something is going to happen it will. And it does sound like a singer sewing machine. Scott

[Cotten]

Scott!

Your steel rods are Andrews as well?
Were there different lengths for the exhaust valves?

....Cotten

[kevock1950]

Cotten:

The Andrews rods I got had 2 long (both the same length) and 2 short (both the same length)...different from the Colony kit that typically has 3 of the same length and 1 a bit longer.

[panbagger]

cotton, I don't have andrews rods. I don't know what they are, but they are steel and different lengths. When I said I just did the same thing I meant heads redone and new rings. Scott