• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Noisey tappet only on cold start up

atkinsAl

New Member
Local time
8:25 PM
Joined
Mar 24, 2020
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Location
London
Hi all

Wonder if you can help with a rather frustrating noise.
I've recently completed the top end of my mopar 440 (fitted to a Jensen interceptor) and I get a reasonably loud ticking noise (I'm assuming tappet) for about 5 or 6 seconds only when starting after leaving the car overnight. I think it is only coming from one side and perhaps towards the front of the rocker covers. Once it goes the engine sounds great and I can start it all day and there is no noise. I only get it briefly on initial startup after the car has been left overnight.

As part of the rebuild the engine has new edelbrock ally e-street heads, edelbrock performer cam and lifters, pushrods comp cams roller rockers. It set the lifter pre-load to ¾ turn initially and tried reducing to ½ turn but this didn't make any difference.

The cam break in went well, the tappets were noisily for the first minute or two but were then quiet.


Oil wise, I'm running Lucas classic car oil 20/50 and a Fram filter.

Any thoughts on what I should do here. Do I just live it as a feature, try messing about with the pre-load or perhaps try different oils / filters.

Thanks for any advice,

Alex, London UK
 
20-50 is a bit heavy to circulate quickly on a cold start. Try a 10-30 or 10-40 and see if it persists.
 
Put up s video of the car and go on each side uo the engine while it's tapping,that will answer a few of my questions.
 
Okay so the engine is fresh top to bottom right? Why are you running such heavy oil? I agree with Turbine68, change the weight of oil to 10-30 if the bearing clearances are where they should be on a fresh street engine.
 
I'll just add that Edelbrock lifters aren't the greatest either. it may just be one or two you are hearing. I've known them to collapse shortly after a break in.
 
As others have noted on the lifter, but could also be an exhaust crack that ticks until it heats up and the expansion closes the crack. Had that happen on an F150 where the manifold cracked in the center, sounded like a machine gun for about 3 minutes and then would go away for the entire drive.
 
I doubt the oil filter is your problem, but I wouldn't use a Fram filter if it where free.
 
As others have noted on the lifter, but could also be an exhaust crack that ticks until it heats up and the expansion closes the crack. Had that happen on an F150 where the manifold cracked in the center, sounded like a machine gun for about 3 minutes and then would go away for the entire drive.
I have the same (exhaust) symptom on my 04 Dakota but it definitely takes longer than the 5 or 6 seconds the op said to quiet down.
 
My bet is , you have a lifter leaking down ..takes several hours. I don't think there are any lifters made in the USA anymore.. except for maybe a high dollar racing set. I expect even the " name brand" are China or Mexico. I had a machine shop do a full overhaul a year ago and I asked about the lifters he said " they come in a quality kit that I use , don't know the brand" Yeah, right. they still leak down and make noise for few seconds , and I'm not using strong valve springs................MO.
 
X2 on oil weight. My 440 clicks for the few seconds using 20W-50 in the cooler times of year; only after sitting for a day or more. The thick oil just doesn't pump the lifters up as instantly as a slightly thinner grade. The design and size of the orifices plays a part as well but it's much easier to change oil type than change tappets...
 
X2 on oil weight. My 440 clicks for the few seconds using 20W-50 in the cooler times of year; only after sitting for a day or more. The thick oil just doesn't pump the lifters up as instantly as a slightly thinner grade. The design and size of the orifices plays a part as well but it's much easier to change oil type than change tappets...
I need to change oil, so I will try that. Recommend 10-30 Summer driving, or?................MO
 
I need to change oil, so I will try that. Recommend 10-30 Summer driving, or?................MO
Brother it all depends on how tight the engine was put together. If your bearing clearances are in the range of .002-.003 rods/mains and the lifter bores are correct then 10-30 will be fine just about all year round with a factory oiling system.
More bearing clearance the heavier the oil needs to be...(Racing applications will vary by build) The heavier oil just takes a bit longer to pressurize the lifters.
Since you didn't mention what oil pump you were running we're assuming its a fresh HV pump. I suggest using a WIX filter instead of the Fram...IMO
 
Last edited:
I need to change oil, so I will try that. Recommend 10-30 Summer driving, or?................MO
Give it a shot and check your pressures. If they're where you like them, run it!:)
 
10 x is old spec
even when book said use 5-x GM says use 0-X in service bulletins no downside
U pick the X
quart jugs cheap at wallyworld
base stocks are so much better
 
Brother it all depends on how tight the engine was put together. If your bearing clearances are in the range of .002-.003 rods/mains and the lifter bores are correct then 10-30 will be fine just about all year round with a factory oiling system.
More bearing clearance the heavier the oil needs to be...(Racing applications will vary by build) The heavier oil just takes a bit longer to pressurize the lifters.
Since you didn't mention what oil pump you were running we're assuming its a fresh HV pump. I suggest using a WIX filter instead of the Fram...IMO
It is just a standard spec. 318 2 bbl engine with a new cam for a 4bbl. full overhaul. Oil pump is standard Mellings. oil pressure 60 psi cold engine--40psi hot. Valvoline racing oil to break in , will be Valvoline 10-30 regular oil with ZDDP additive. Wix filter ONLY.............. MO
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top