Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Tappet noise

Don't know if I'm just homing in on the tappet noise in particular, but it sure seems noisy.
Recently serviced and no concern raised by the dealer so I'm not worrying (overly)
Anyone else notice how rattly theirs is?

For me, it has always been there. Slightly muted first thing when the oil is the consistency of honey but still there. It tells you that your exhaust pipes and muffler are working if you can hear them.

In my case the tappet noise was much louder after loss of oil causing over heating. Most likely not the same issue but if they are sounding louder than usual check the oil level and flow to engine.

MY son has a fairly new 48 and it rattles quite a bit,maybe you have a lazy lifter i wouldnt worry too much if the dealer says its ok.

Em

Hmm, I would tend to worry a lot if I had a lifter making continuous noise, as these engines have hydraulic roller tappets which should be very quiet once warm. Noisy tappets at full temperature would, to me, indicate (in order) need for valve/tappet adjustment (see the manual), low oil pressure, or excessive wear.

This has been an ongoing complaint with later model Harley owners.

In fact from around '08, lifter in the CVO 110" motors can let go with just a few thousand miles or up to around 20k miles. They all seem to derivatives of GM hydraulic roller lifters, or at least their design.

I have 20k on my '09 110" motor and I'll be changing out my lifters this winter just as a precautionary maintenance.

But what really makes these lifters sing is the cam profiles. You would not believe all the different ramp angles, durations etc that make them either quiet or noisy. Obviously if the ramp angles let the lifter roller to come off the cam you're going to get a bit of clatter. One of the reasons the lifters go out so often on the 110" motors is the VERY stiff valve springs. If they loosen the pressure the lifters last longer, but make noise...

I would think in the case of the S&S motors is that it's the cam profile that creates the most problem, not worn out lifters. But anything can go south even when new.

Just some thoughts from a rambling old fart without a M3W.

Agreeing with all the above ,can just throw in there fitting roller rockers for me has made the loud-ish tappity sound the motor used to have a lot quieter.
There again these days I am running with virtually straight through pipes which might have something to do with it.

Quite a few three wheelers sounded different at prescott and without being an expert in any way they all sounded a lot better than in 2012.To my untrained ear they then sounded very stright cut boxy then if you know what i mean like the old rally minis.


Em sorry four wheels.

It shouldn't make any difference, but in a V-8 and adding roller rockers, the noise always picks up a bit, even wit hydraulic lifters.

From what I've seen, it looks like S&S uses GM rockers, probably the GM lifters as well. Oh no, not the lifters, they make their own brand and sell them to replace the Harley lifters.

Same for me Michael. Quiet at first, and then the oil warms up...

As soon as the cooler weather comes and a helmet or sheepskin flying helmet are required the noise just blends in.

Guess I just need to try and ignore it.