tappet / lifter inspection 1991 EVO

Ticking noise question

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neilw
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tappet / lifter inspection 1991 EVO

#1

Post by neilw »

My 1991 Springer with stock evo engine except for cam and new Torrington bearing back in 1995, has been making a clacking /ticking sound that I'm thinking is valve train related . being an old pan guy I first thought of adjusting the push rods, but since I'd need new adjustable ones I'm looking farther .

The many suggestions from another site , all contradictory brings me back here to you experts.

Can I check lifter travel to confirm I don't have a collapsing lifter ?
Besides the noise being from play at the end of a push rod ,what would I check for wear ?

I'm all set to pull the top cover off the cylinders ,but would like an expert opinion as to what I should look for .
Thanks Neil
RooDog
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Re: tappet / lifter inspection 1991 EVO

#2

Post by RooDog »

I have an aftermarket hot rod Evo engine with Twinkie top end, It starts and runs quietly for a while, but then on the highway, 70-80 MPH I get some clicking noises, Perhaps this is an answer.....
I've seen these and some other brands available on eBay,,,,,

https://rockerlockers.com/

....RooDog....
neilw
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Re: tappet / lifter inspection 1991 EVO

#3

Post by neilw »

Thanks for the video. I had heard of rocker lockers but my bike isn't a twin cam.
I'm just thinking that instead of worrying about a little clacking which doesn't bother me . ( the older I get ,I'll probably get deafer) why don't I just do a compression test?
If the valves are closing all the way , then there's not much to worry about,
Or should I worry ?
It seems the whole idea is to have valves seal at the right time ,and if I've got compression everything from the cam ion up must be doing it's job.
As Alfred E Neuman said " what me worry" ?
Andygears
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Re: tappet / lifter inspection 1991 EVO

#4

Post by Andygears »

The video Roo-dog posted was new to me, new product I mean. Old shovel heads used to get shims for the same end-play noise. I had a lifter noise on my ‘87 Evo that was between cold and warm, would only make noise as it warmed up, then go away after fully hot from riding. The Amsoil guy suggested I try a quart of their synthetic added, like an additive, to the 20-50 Harley oil I was running. It worked and the noise never came back even with subsequent oil changes without the synthetic.

Andygears
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Re: tappet / lifter inspection 1991 EVO

#5

Post by nmaineron »

I put them into my 95. With a cam and springs there is going to be more noise but I thought that I might have something different. I pulled the boxes and inspected the rockers and found that I had a couple that were hitting. The rocker lockers were an easy install. I can't say that they eliminated all the racket but I feel they are worthy for what little they cost.
RooDog
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Re: tappet / lifter inspection 1991 EVO

#6

Post by RooDog »

This item, Rocker Lockers, works on Evos and Sporties too. The included video explains how the loose floating rocker shaft is locked into place. As I had mentioned, my engine, and my parts guy's too, use Twinkie heads. It's just something to look into, if the witness marks are there, then the tapered tubes could be helpful. I little more research may be in order....
....RooDog....

https://search.aol.com/click/_ylt=A0geK ... KXRzpBwDs-
One more video.....


PS: I don't sell or endorse these, I am just providing the linkage for the information.... RD

And one more that will cast you almost nothing....



And he is using a US Number 8-32 Allen set screw, not an M8 metric screw, OK?
neilw
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1991 BMW 75RT.
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Re: tappet / lifter inspection 1991 EVO

#7

Post by neilw »

Those videos show it all ,thanks . we still have 6 inches of snow in a lot of places ,so now's a good time to pull the top off .
Great advise from everyone too .
Thanks ,Neil
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