Topic: Higher Lift Cam Noise? (Read 4519 times)

1 HD HEMI · « **on:** July 18, 2005, 01:49:30 AM »

I want to know if anyone else has put a high lift cam in a 103 and if so, does it make more noise? [smiley=nixweiss.gif] [smiley=shocked2.gif]I put a S&S 570 Gear drive cam in my 05' SEEG and when engine is warm it makes a bit more noise. Although when cold its quite as can be which makes me think its probably normal. H-D mechanic that installed it says it doesn't sound WRONG but has never done that cam on a 103 prior to mine. Just looking for some of your expert experiences! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Twolanerider · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2005, 01:54:09 AM »

Quote

I want to know if anyone else has put a high lift cam in a 103 and if so, does it make more noise? [smiley=nixweiss.gif] [smiley=shocked2.gif]I put a S&S 570 Gear drive cam in my 05' SEEG and when engine is warm it makes a bit more noise. Although when cold its quite as can be which makes me think its probably normal. H-D mechanic that installed it says it doesn't sound WRONG but has never done that cam on a 103 prior to mine. Just looking for some of your expert experiences! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

This is going to sound like a dumb question Bling; but that never really stopped me. With the change is it really markedly louder or it is just a lot different? Or is it both ?

1 HD HEMI · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2005, 10:40:35 AM »

TLR,
It's definitely both! [smiley=confused.gif] I've listened to some of my CVO ridin buddies bikes and don't hardly hear anything!

grc · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2005, 10:57:31 AM »

Quote

I want to know if anyone else has put a high lift cam in a 103 and if so, does it make more noise? [smiley=nixweiss.gif] [smiley=shocked2.gif]I put a S&S 570 Gear drive cam in my 05' SEEG and when engine is warm it makes a bit more noise. Although when cold its quite as can be which makes me think its probably normal. H-D mechanic that installed it says it doesn't sound WRONG but has never done that cam on a 103 prior to mine. Just looking for some of your expert experiences! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Is it a clicking noise, or a gear noise? It is not uncommon to hear more noise with high lift cams, especially if the opening and closing ramps are radically different than stock. Some cams are ground for very fast ramps, which increases the flow rate but bangs the valves open and closed much harder. The faster you close the valve, the more noise you can expect. Also, gear drives can create additional noise, depending on how well the straight-cut gears mesh, and the noise can vary as the engine heats up or cools down.

Jerry

JCZ · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2005, 04:47:16 PM »

grc just gave you a very good (and real) answer. Gear driven cams make more noise than chain drive.....especially when the motor gets hot. I suspect, from what you've described, it's normal.

HUBBARD · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2005, 05:04:08 PM »

Yeah, 'er 'uh, HD-Bling,
JCZ is correct. [smiley=thumbsup.gif] That's the fleas that come with the dog. Noise increases with any cam modification. Keep it wound tight, and you won't hear cam noise! [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif] Ride Hard! Later--HUBBARD

Twolanerider · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2005, 05:25:21 PM »

Another possible solution could be to get a good set of Hogtunes speakers and then just crank up music. Louder pipes might help fix the problem too [smiley=7.gif] [smiley=beerchug.gif]

1 HD HEMI · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2005, 07:53:20 PM »

Thanks All,
I feel better know! [smiley=laugh.gif] Hog tunes NOT necessary I've installed Phoenix Gold Pro series with built in crossovers! [smiley=7.gif] Very pleased!
I do hear the wind of the gear drive but there is also a slight tickin! Only at an Idle though.
Thanks Again! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

JCZ · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2005, 09:05:53 PM »

Quote

Thanks All,
   I feel better know! [smiley=laugh.gif] Hog tunes NOT necessary I've installed Phoenix Gold Pro series with built in crossovers! [smiley=7.gif] Very pleased!
   I do hear the wind of the gear drive but there is also a slight tickin! Only at an Idle though.
   Thanks Again! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

Hell, is that all? Bling you don't have to start worrying till you start hearing the noises that aren't really there......... [smiley=nervous.gif] [smiley=nervous.gif] [smiley=nervous.gif] [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]

DCFIREMANN · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2005, 11:07:58 PM »

Quote

Thanks All,
   I feel better know! [smiley=laugh.gif] Hog tunes NOT necessary I've installed Phoenix Gold Pro series with built in crossovers! [smiley=7.gif] Very pleased!
   I do hear the wind of the gear drive but there is also a slight tickin! Only at an Idle though.
   Thanks Again! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

Did they change the lifters?

?? If not there is your reason for the tick tick tick!

Be Safe

THE DAWG

Coolbreeze · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2005, 03:52:59 PM »

MUST BE NICE TO HAVE A QUIET MOTOR... MINES SO DAMN LOUD ON THE TOP END THAT NOW I YELL ALL THE TIME, CAN'T HEAR MY EXHUAST, AND HAD TO BUY HOGTUNES JUST TO HEAR 'EM! The dealer says "that's normal for a 103" [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

DCFIREMANN · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2005, 05:52:46 PM »

The dealer lies!!!!!!

Be Safe

THE DAWG

VANAMAL · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2005, 08:47:41 PM »

i put gear drive cams in my deuce and they are noiseier. the stock set up with cam chain riding on chain tensioner shoes is nice and quiet but a real weak link in regards to wear. i think they can wear out anywhere from 20-30 thou. miles. good luck

spydglide · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2005, 10:01:15 PM »

Just got 30K on my SEEG, guess I need to be checking the tensioners, huh? [smiley=nervous.gif] spyder

VANAMAL · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2005, 11:57:14 PM »

that seems to be the concensus. the subject has been talked about here before. my tensioners were worn beyond spec at 25000 miles but some riders go longer. as you know most riders dont ride their bikes very many miles so its not an issue for most. its not that big of a deal as they are easily accessable to change out.

1 HD HEMI · « **Reply #15 on:** July 20, 2005, 09:56:45 PM »

Vanimal,
Just out of curiousity were does the metal that wears off Go to? [smiley=nixweiss.gif]That was one of my determining factors in the gear drive choice. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] Better safe than sorry was my thoughts!

VANAMAL · « **Reply #16 on:** July 21, 2005, 01:25:50 AM »

the part that wears out is the cam chain tensioner shoe. its a plastic shoe that is spring tensioned to keep cam chain tight. there are two of them. the chain wears through the plastic eventually. mileage can vary but ill be changing mine or switching to gear drive by 30000 miles. as far as the particals that wear off the shoes i assume they make it to the oil filter. youll know it if one wears totaly through-ride safe

grc · « **Reply #17 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:38:03 AM »

Quote

Vanimal,
Just out of curiousity were does the metal that wears off Go to? [smiley=nixweiss.gif]That was one of my determining factors in the gear drive choice. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] Better safe than sorry was my thoughts!

As long as they're changed before all the plastic is worn away, there won't be any metal particles. By the way, the other reason gears are better is that the Harley chain tensioners are not strong enough to maintain proper valve timing. If you add stronger valve springs for high rpm use, they can override the tensioner springs and cause your valve timing to vary. I read an article in American Iron where it was claimed that they actually meaured more than a 4 degree variation with the chain setup. If you're spending bucks for a performance cam, the smart way to go is gears so you'll get all the performance you paid for.

Jerry

VANAMAL · « **Reply #18 on:** July 21, 2005, 09:25:01 AM »

TRUE! the only only bad thing is do you want the extra gear noise. do you spend the money on the delkron cam support plate and feuling oil pump while your at it. then theres the lifters and adj.pushrods. i do have all the jims spec tools for the cam and bearing removal avail.

spydglide · « **Reply #19 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:52:46 PM »

Seems to be the concensus of the technicians at the dealership that I deal with that they've NEVER seen cam chain tensioners worn enough to need changing between 25 and 30 thousand miles. They said you need to start checking between 50 and 75 thousand. So, based on that I'm gonna ride another 30 thou before I worry! Har! spyder

VANAMAL · « **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2005, 09:25:23 PM »

i personaly havnt met that many smart tech guys at any of the dealers ive been to. i would suggest that if anyone wants to learn more on cam shoe wear problem to go to google and type in twin cam tensioner shoe wear. theres a lot to be learned

DCFIREMANN · « **Reply #21 on:** July 22, 2005, 07:19:21 AM »

Quote

TRUE! the only only bad thing is do you want the extra gear noise. do you spend the money on the delkron cam support plate and feuling oil pump while your at it. then theres the lifters and adj.pushrods. i do have all the jims spec tools for the cam and bearing removal avail.

Do not use the Delkron support plate. Use the fueling pump and modify the stock plate. The delkron plates had problems. Unless you want to pay the big bucks for it and then pay to have it blueprinted. They had problems with the pressure relief valve. It would stick and you would get little or no oil. The problem has not be address to my knowledge. The Harley support plate will handle anything you can throw at it on the street.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

Author Topic: Higher Lift Cam Noise? (Read 4519 times)