free website stats program Adjustable pushrods tapping | Harley Davidson Forums

Adjustable pushrods tapping

M

mattbow

Member
I hope someone can help me, I have (just got a few months ago) a 2006 Electric Glide FLHTCI and I had to change the cam tensioners so I put adjustable pushrods in and I put new tapits in also. When I put them in I made sure that the tapits were all the way down when I put the pushrods in and after I could turn them with my fingers I tightened the lock nut.
When the bike is running at idle it sounds great but when I increase the throttle it starts tapping.
 
Two things come to mind. If you adjusted the pushrods on new lifters right out of the package, they might have been dry and needed to pump up a bit. Another is some adjustable pushrods can rub the tube at the joint of the inner and outer causing a noise. Just twisting the tube(s) may help.
 
Thanks, I took an oil can a pushed oil into the hole on the side until it came out the top. The tapping sounds like it's coming from the top, I used a stethoscope and listened to where the top was coming from.
 
I suspect that the pushrods are not correctly adjusted; readjust the pushrods. The lifters can be "all the way down" and be in cam overlap, not TDC; the pushrods need to be adjusted with the piston at TDC on the compression stroke. First verify the TPI count and use the attached chart to set preload; preload should be at least .125" but anywhere between .125" and .140" is OK. Old school way; remove both spark plugs, put the trans in top gear (5th/6th) get the rear wheel off the ground, insert a plastic straw into the spark plug hole so piston travel up/down can be detected. Rotate the rear wheel until you feel the compression stroke resistance (air will be pushed out and the straw will be moving up) As soon as the straw stabilizes at TDC or just starts moving down; adjust the pushrods on that cylinder. Do not, rotate the rear wheel again until the adjusted pushrods freely roll between fingers. Rinse and repeat with the next cylinder. Different pushrods have different TPI; 24, 32, 28, etc. The OP needs to know the pushrod TPI and calculate the number of flats/turns to set preload. OP did not mention tappet/lifter brand but if OEM, bad juju and they should be replaced. No need to pre-fill lifters with oil, most come with at least some lightweight oil and will clatter for a minute or so on start up post adjustment as they fill up with oil.;)
 

Attachments

  • pushrod TPI chart.JPG
    pushrod TPI chart.JPG
    47.6 KB · Views: 0
mattbow said:
There were no instructions that came with the push rods.
Click to expand...

You bought them from someone, so ask or mark of an inch on the threads and carefully count them. You cannot properly adjust pushrods without the TPI. Adjusting pushrods is pretty straight forward but done incorrectly can result in a bent valve. ;)
 
Not necessarily a mistake. Street Sport Industries did not manufacture that kit; rebranded from original manufacture. You can call Street Sport and inquire about the TPI. Lifters might be sketchy, probably not manufactured in the US as most are not these days. Just verify TPI and adjust properly and see how she goes. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top