Issues with a noise

BadBrad

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
The '05 are notorious for having pre-mature valve guide wear due to having the TP rocker boxes. This wear can lead to valve/head/cylinder damage. The noise you hear could very well be a valve guide that is worn and allowing the valve to move side to side as well as up and down. The only way to know for sure is to pull the head and inspect the guides. Not that major but time consuming. If this is the cause, you'll need a couple of special tools. Valve spring compressor/remover, valve guide remover and a valve guide installer. I made a valve spring compressor from a large "C" clamp by welding 2 small pieces of metal to the top of the clamp to press down on the spring. I'll post a picture of this tomorrow if interested. Don't let this keep wearing. I had a valve that broke mid stem and dropped into the cylinder, ruining the head, piston and cylinder.
 
BigDickPitBull

BigDickPitBull

Active Member
This is what I believe is going on, It is a hollow sound that seems to be coming more from the front head. If you have a good how to I can handle it.
 
BadBrad

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
I don't have a "how to", but it's fairly straight forward. Here are 10 simple steps I use to do this: 1) remove dash 2) remove tank 3) remove breather/filter 4) remove exhaust 5) remove intake with carb still attached and lay to the side with cables attached 6) pull spark plugs 7) collapse pushrods for front cylinder 8)remove rocker box lid and base 9) remove 4 head bolts and head 10) compress valve spring, remove keepers, expand and release spring. At this point, the valve should fall out and you can inspect the valve guide. Taking apart is always the easy part. Be sure to keep a box of ziplocks handy and keep all bolts/nuts labeled that go together. Also, go ahead and order a set of top end gaskets. I know I'm going to catch hell for this, but I've pulled the heads twice and have never replaced the base gasket at the bottom of the cylinder. It is recommended, but I don't have a ring compresser and so far, I've been lucky with no leaks. I do however have the base gaskets at the house that came with the gasket kit. Just last week, I finally got around to changing out the TP rocker boxes with S&S rocker box/roller rockers/shafts. The valve guides are only about $12 each. I get most all my parts from Bikers Dream of Atlanta. Those folks know Big Dogs and never send a wrong part. But use who ever you want there. Strokers and some others are well recommended too! I probably left off a step or two, but you shouldn't have any problems doing this. Be sure to follow torque specs and tightening patterns getting it all put back together. One other note: snug up your intake back to your cylinders before torquing down the head bolts. Then attach the breather bracket to your intake and line it all up before tightening down your intake. It has to be just right for everything to snug up in the right place.
 
BadBrad

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
I'll let some other guys chime in on this, but I think that bad valve guides would show up during a compression check. Pulling the heads is a chore and only needs to be done if you're sure that's the root cause. You may want to PM John Sachs to see what's the best test for checking to see if you're valve guides are worn. I actually had pressure that would build up, then force oil down from the rocker box into the cylinder and smoke like a skeeter machine, then clear up after about 20 seconds. Good luck
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
DRBarnhart said:
Only take a minute and rules out one more possibility! :up:

Dennis

PS We had a member do a top end overhaul on his engine THEN found the vent tube rattling around.... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Who would have done that????? :D:cheers::D
 
BigDickPitBull

BigDickPitBull

Active Member
You know I was wondering if this could be a noise from the carb? Sometimes it sounds as some kind of flapper noise like on the intake... just wondering before I tear into it
 
BadBrad

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
Like I said, there are ways to check to see if you might have a bad valve guide. Some here have the TP's and no issues. Just not me. Did you PM John Sachs or maybe bigdogtech1? Both are experienced as are some others on this site.
 
BigDickPitBull

BigDickPitBull

Active Member
yea I pm him, we will wait and see.... I just adjusted the carb... took for a little test ride. Tommorrow hopefully i will get in a good ride to see what it has done
 
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