My engine is making Loud noises at normal operating temperatures only. It's time for me to get some new lifters. I read that if a lifter develops a loud noise when engine is at normal operating temperature, but is quiet when engine is below normal temperature, it indicates an excessively fast leak down rate or scored lifter plunger, and it is then recommended to recondition or replace lifters.
Well folks this is what I've got to do this winter. While the bike will be disassembled, since I don't have adjustable pushrods, I will be adding some S&S adjustables and covers as well. And well you know the foot bone is connected to the ankle bone is connected to the shin bone.
They say when you change your cams, you have to change the lifters. It doesn't necessarily hold true vise versa, but isn't a bad idea. Besides, if you were ever going to do the cams, now is the time, since I'm already going to be in there adding Jim's tappits right? The adjustables will allow me to do this kind of thing in the future without having to take the top end apart. Hopefully, I won't need to get back in there after this one for quite some time, but you never know. Now is the time to add an ounce of prevention incase something like this happens again down the road. I guess I look at it as insurance. If I never need it great. If I do, great. Additionally, by adding these S&S parts & Jim's lifters (tappits), I'll not only be able to get rid of the damn knock, I'll gain a bit of performance as well. I guess this means I need to custom paint something for someone quick to help support my habit.
I reckon that's the price ya pay when ya gotta hankerin' for hogs....yer hands are always gonna be steadily hard at work...season-to-season 'n then some!
ReplyDeleteI feel for ya, I'll prolly be getting my cylinder re-sleeved this winter, last winter a complete bottom end...course my little bike is much simpler;),,but you throw in my son's 3 bikes, my wife's buggy, my rock buggy...I'm always in the garage it seems:( I suppose it ain't all bad.??
ReplyDeleteMan, that bites! I try to look at breakdowns and repairs as opportunities for upgrades, the unexpected expenditure still sux though!
ReplyDeleteRide safe!
Well, this is why I have put 35,000 on my ride in less than 18 months. So I can upgrade! Whooooooo!....oh wait...I don't have any money right now.
ReplyDeleteI always find a way to screw myself. At least I had fun doing it.
Since you will have it apart...for the most part, maybe you should think about a few more upgrades while you are at it. I'm starting to look at my cam chain tensioners right now. I'm not waiting until they screw up.
Well, look at the bright side. No one can say your not a biker...most guys I know don't ride enough to encounter such a problem. Ride on!
sorry you ran into a must do fix. but hey, i went adjustable on an old firebird of mine and LOVED it. of course you have to start tweaking performance on everything once you open 'em up...but its all in love ;)
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes time to pick cams....put a lot of reasearch into it...check and double check.
ReplyDeleteThe tendecy to go "bigger" isn't always better.
The stock cam profiles that harley uses in it's sportys is pretty damn close to Ideal.
Most cam makers won't tell you that.
Better gains will be made in exhaust configs,intake manifolds and ignition and advances.
If you wonder if perhaps the Ol "Big Daddy Caveman' knows his stuff on sportys......
Give Dr Wrench and FLH Dave a call
to see if his bikes haul...LOL
Will you be doing step by step updates as you do all of this work?
ReplyDeleteMeanDonnaJean,
ReplyDeleteYeah, If you ride em, you will fix em.
Tony,
It's a good price to pay. Those of us who share these woes, share the joy of what goes into having to have them.
MeanStreak,
I agree, If I can get something done that I've always wanted to do for a fraction of the price because the labor's almost already paid for by the "other" problem that got you in there the first time, it's a bonus. Still sucks though, I agree.
FLHX Dave,
Although I ride some, It doesn't compare to what you do. I only wish I could sometimes. Regarding $. I wish I had more of that too. Unfortunately the budget at my house does not include bike repairs, or upgrades. If I want to ride, I gotta figure out a way though. It keeps getting worse.
Mq01,
I love tweaking performance, unfortunately, I never seem to have the money set aside when this kind of shit happens. The opportunity is there, the money isn't, for even the lifters, and certainly not for the other tweaks I'd love to do. We'll see what happens.
Big D.,
By now, I'm sure you got my e-mail with all of my questions and advise requests. Thanks for your 2 cents. I respect your opinions on Sporty performance.
Danny,
Maybe step by step updates by my mechanics work, but likely only a final on what I decide to do, did, and how much difference it makes.
Maybe, if I can get the right coaching, I might attempt some of this myself. We'll see. It' seems like a lot to me. I'm handy, but I'm no mechanic.
I’d take that bit of advice Big D gave you. Stock Sporty cams are about as good as it gets. My ’84 Sporty will run well over 100 with two-up w/stock cams. Of course the carb, exhaust and sparky maker has been changed. As for the adj. pushrods; you didn’t put them in the day after you bought it?
ReplyDeleteWilly D.,
ReplyDeleteNever even thought to put adjustables in. I have very little clue what needs to be done, and why when it comes to performance, etc, except for the little bit I've learned along the way since I started paying to have mechanical mods done on this Harley. Everything else I'v ever ridden before has always run stock, except for cosmetic appearances. I'm slowly learning.