95 inch engine noise - Harley Forum

FLABBS · #1 07-13-2007, 08:45 PM

Had a 95 inch big bore kit installed on my '03 carb. Fatboy, 203 cams,air cleaner kit, 16 ga. double barrel pipes. Now has 10,000 miles on it, and all I seem to hear is a ticking sound near top end of engine( almost sounds like the rattle when you shake a PCV valve on a car.) Local HD said not to worry, as performance hasn't really changed, but I'm worried of course. Primary chain tension is good. Seems to be coming from left side though, at idle and moving. Any suggestions/recommendations??:

#2 07-14-2007, 09:26 AM

Sounds to me like a tappet is going bad, allowing too much lash in the valvetrain.

#3 07-17-2007, 04:55 PM

Are you running the stock rocker arms or roller tipped?Do you have adjustable pushrods?Have you overreved the engine?The engine runs fine no missing, extremely rough idle or backfiring?The reason I ask all these questions is I had a brand new screaming eagle lifter that would not pump up,it made a terrible clacking sound(from all the lash).When my 95" twin cam is good and hot there is some valve train noise with the roller tipped rockers which is common.

FLABBS · #4 07-19-2007, 08:33 PM

The Roller Arms Are Stock, As Are The Pushrods--not Adjustable. The Engine Runs/idles Fine ---no Backfiring Or Popping At All. It Just Makes The Noticeable Ticking Sound As I Run And Idle. I Called The Local H-d Again And He Said He's Never Had A Lifter(tappet) Go Bad On The Twin Cams. The Ticking Wasn't There Before/after The Bore Kit Was Installed 2 Years Ago, But It's There Now.

#5 07-20-2007, 11:59 PM

I don't know much but 16 gauge exhaust pipes sound awefull small for that big a motor.

UGH