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Valve Train Issues

69'Net

69'Net

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I recently rebuilt my 440, engine has stealth heads, comp lifters, comp cam, and stock stamped rockers. I did the cam break in without much trouble. Drove the car for about 10 min. Parked it and all of a sudden got a bunch of valve train noise. When I run the rpms up, it stops. I pulled the valve cover, the rocker bolts are tight. I set the preload at 0.070", by using a length checker and buying push rods that fell between 0.020"-0.080" recommended by comp. The rockers are slightly loose, you can move them side to side. And I can push some of the lifters in by hand, like they aren't pumped up. I didn't soak them first, but they should be pumped up after running awhile. I'm certain that's the issue. I primed the engine before I started it. What should my next step be?
 
Also, 80 PSI oil pressure cold, around 30 at idle
 
Nothing in your post sounds unusual for today’s hyd lifters.

What’s the cam?

Google noisy hyd lifters....... you’ll find your situation isn’t unique.
 
About the only thing I can suggest at this point is make sure there’s no contact between the pushrods and the heads.

Oh, what weight oil?
 
I don't see any marking on the pushrods like they are. It's more than just a clicking noise. It's a loose rattling sound and it's loud.
 
Find the thread on here with the 70 Charger sound clip for comparison.
 
Built my 383, stock deck height, stealth heads, comp cam and lifters ... using factory pushrods and rockers ... no valvetrain noise at all... you sure those push rods you have are the right length ?
Or your lifters are not pumped up like you say
 
I can push some of lifters in by hand with the pushrod. I measured them two different ways, once with a piece of tape making a mark at zero load and with preload and with the length check and got the same. The engine had longer pushrods in it when I took it apart. They were oil thru. The stock ones I got from Mancini we're solid ball ends
 
Today's hydraulic lifters don't seem to hold oil after shut off like lifters of old. Finding some that feel soft and loose after shut off seems to be common. But 30 psi at idle should be plenty to keep them pumped up and that might merit a call to the lifter company techs.
 
If it’s a fast rate cam, it’s gonna make some noise.

That’s not to say you don’t have some defective lifters that just didn’t pump up.
It’s pretty rare, but it happens.
However, it’s usually the result of foreign material getting into the lifter and disrupting the inner workings.

Lifters suffering from that situation dont pump up with added rpm though.
A “collapsed” lifter doesn’t feel like a normal lifter that’s had some oil pushed out of it after shut down.
When there collapsed, you can grab the rocker and lift up on the valve end and feel the plunger bottom out in the lifter with minimal resistance.

I’d suggest bumping the motor over and checking for all of them on the base circle for any “really” soft ones.
 
Last edited:
Check the rocker shafts for correct orenintaion. Make sure oil holes are torwards exhaust valve.
 
This is just another reason why I prefer solid lifters.

Hopefully you cam is not wiped out.
 
Which lifters? .070 preload sounds like way too much...they recommend .030-.050 for the high-energy lifters and around .004 for the pro-magnum ones...
 
With the valve covers off you can look down through the holes with a flashlight and with the lifter on the backside of the cam (valve closed), you can see how far down the plunger is from the retaining clip. If its excessive, way down, or right on the retaining clip up high, you might have to make some changes. You can eyeball .020 or .070 enough to see what you have.

When you have the covers off, you can use a remote starter button and crank the engine, watch each lifter for rotation. They should spin as they go in and out. Removing spark plugs before you do this will be easier on the starter.
 
Whats your oil pressure at idle? Sounds like the lifters aren't pumping up at, which points to oil pressure being too low at idle. Also, what Comp cam are you using, and lifter? The RV 440 in my Dart is quiet at idle, but my gauge shows 50 Lbs or more when idling, which seems strange to me. Gauge may be slow to respond. But the lifters are just as quiet at 800 RPM as they are at 3000.
 
beanhead said:
Which lifters? .070 preload sounds like way too much...they recommend .030-.050 for the high-energy lifters and around .004 for the pro-magnum ones...
Click to expand...
822-16 is the part number for them, the instructions say .020"-0.080". I called comp and told then what I have. He didn't seem concerned by 0.070" preload
 
Garys1969RR said:
Whats your oil pressure at idle? Sounds like the lifters aren't pumping up at, which points to oil pressure being too low at idle. Also, what Comp cam are you using, and lifter? The RV 440 in my Dart is quiet at idle, but my gauge shows 50 Lbs or more when idling, which seems strange to me. Gauge may be slow to respond. But the lifters are just as quiet at 800 RPM as they are at 3000.
Click to expand...
My oil pressure at idle is 30lbs warm. Over 80lbs cold. Last night when I came home I put it back together and started it, I had one lifter lightly clicking but the loud noise I heard before was gone. After letting it run until warm, the noise started again. It's loud, sounds like the rockers aren't torqued down. I made a mark on each pushrod and rolled it over, all of them spin except two on the driver's side and two on the passenger side. I tried measuring the lift with a dial indicator. It's a real pain with aluminum heads and the magnetic base. I'm probably gonna pull the intake off so I can look at what is going on
 
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