So I took the bride of frankenstein out tonight.  there is a large amount of ticking in the top end...?  when we rebuilt the heads I didn't realize that the valve springs were progressive.  So we put it together and then read the manual only to find out that hey, what do ya know.  So I have adjusted the valves twice.  and it sounds like its coming from the exhaust side.  but, dont know.  anyone know what a motor sounds like if you install the valve springs backwards?  other than that the jetting is great.  I'll take it to work tommarrow and see what the ega says.  foreman said I could teach one of the techs how to use the dyno using my bike.  Stupid Harley Technicians.

ebonysresearch wrote on 10/27/10 at 17:12:46:


Yeah, instead of sounding putt putt putt, it goes ttup ttup ttup.
You did of course put the same springs back on the same valves, right?

Phelonius

Phelonius

When adjusting the fork ( Y )  type rocker you should use two feeler (gap) gauges to allow for the sideways rocking of the rocker on the shaft. One under each adjuster ( did that make sense? ). I don't know if that's your specific problem but it is the correct way to adjust the LS type rocker.

yes they do. lol everyone of my buddies are like when are you going to adjust those valve. i just tell them when it blows up. i just adjusted them 2 weeks ago and they still think its the valves. i was thinking it could be the decompression piece over the valves touching it when they come back up but didnt see any scaring from it hitting.

ncron, adjust your valves only with a stone cold engine, like first thing in the morning (evening if your a vampire). Two feelers so the tension is the same on both adjusters. .005" intake  .008" exhaust. This is a shorter lift and shortens the duration.Seems weird but the warm engine will be quieter and rev higher. I go for a tight drag on the feeler pull. My engines ( Guzzi, Honda and Suzi) run strong and the valve noise is moderate. Just my two cents, cha ching.

Hmmmmm  I sort of recall it's .003 to .005.....  

Old timer taught me this.   Pick the feeler gauge in the middle of the spec.  Finger tight the adjuster.  Then hold it in place while tightening the lock nut.  You'll get the lower spec number.  Reason, as you torque the lock nut it changes the adjuster just a tiny bit.  After a little practice, it makes valve adjustment very quick.

Wow, sounds like we're tuning a piano !
Makes me glad mine never seem to need adjusting.

Mine ticks alot too. Although it seems louder on the left side. Not sure why.....seems to run ok.