noisy rocker arms - Harley Forum

jonlyjayman · #1 10-04-2009, 11:12 PM

When cold, I get lots of lould "clanky" noise from top of engine/rocker box area. When it warms up it's just the normal "tick" I've always had and other people seem to have to. What's causing it to go away when warmed up? And what's the problem? It's a high mileage TC88 that's never ridden hard or revved high. Any thoughts? Thanks

old no. seven · #2 10-05-2009, 09:20 PM

What year bike? The 03's came out with a "B" part number lifter, improving on the 02's and prior. The noise could be coming up from a weak lifter allowing some slop into the pushrod up to the rocker arm.

jonlyjayman · #3 10-10-2009, 07:36 PM

It's an 02 FLHT w/carb...84,000 miles. Someone else thinks maybe bad lifters are not pumping up. If that were it can I just keep going? as I'd like to get 100,000 miles then do a complete rebuild. That's always been my goal. Do you think it can last another 16,000 miles? I hate to put money into it now and then in about 2 more years spend more on the rebuild. Thanks, Jay

#4 10-10-2009, 08:49 PM

A goal of 100,000 miles or a fu@$ed up motor, it's your choice.

brock5ga · #5 10-10-2009, 09:17 PM

Put lifters in my 01 Ultra at 20K miles. Lifters wont set you back much, and you will notice a huge difference in performance when the ticking is gone and the valves open all the way. The adjustable push rods and covers you can re-use when you overhaul the engine. Go ahead and replace them. You will not regret it.

jonlyjayman · #6 10-11-2009, 05:40 PM

Thanks for the replies. My shop tells me $150- for the lifters, then 4 hrs or so of labor to install them. I hate to fix one problem when internally that motor probably has lots of worn out parts....thanks.

coot · #7 10-14-2009, 04:20 PM

I've got a similar situation on my '02 FLHTC. Only the noise gets worse as the oil heats up. I have already installed adjustable pushrods when I replaced the tensioners. And it seems like I have lengthened the rods more than normal. But the noise level doesn't improve. My stethascope doesn't help much here either since the clatter is worse when I'm on the throttle and in at least 3rd or 4th gear. 5th gear isn't as bad until about 3000 RPM and up.

Does it sound like my lifters have just gone soft? It happens with age you know.

HarleyCruiser · #8 10-14-2009, 06:28 PM

If you have 80k on the motor, have you had the cam chain tentioners replaced?
What did they do when they put them in? If they have been replaced, did they put in adjustable push rods?
Then would have been the time to change the lifters.
And why the 100 k mark?
Got 98 on mine plan on changing the tentioners, lifters and riding it.

street bob · #9 10-14-2009, 07:03 PM

Don't shoot for the goal and blow the motor completely......... could be bad juju!!

old no. seven · #10 10-14-2009, 08:14 PM

Did your shop quote the time using your solid push rods? Then thats because the rocker covers and rockers are coming off. If you used adjustable push rods , some of that labor could be cut. What the shop would do is cut the solid push rods, pull the old lifters, new lifters in , adjust push rods, put push rod covers on and clean up.Just a thought.