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Valvetrain clatter/noise

1STMP

1STMP

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Since this is my first attempt at building
Ma Mopars biggest, I'm very unfamiliar
with the way this big hunk of Iron is
supposed to sound. I've run a compression
test (dry/cold-5 revolutions) and all 8
register 150 psi on the dot. 40 psi oil
pressure cold at start, drops to 35 psi
warmed up. I'm getting (what I perceive
to be excessive valve train clatter). The
pressures exiting the pipes are smooth
and even with no pops or misses.
I would assume since there are no
engine stumbles, and compression is even
that the pushrods/lifters a functioning
normally. I do have a taller set of aluminum
valve covers installed to head off future
mods. Could it be they are just amplifying
the valve train noise?
 
Perhaps a little bit more detail on what engine it is you are referring to might help?
Better yet- a video (with sound, naturally)?
 
What type/ brand lifters are you running?. Some can be a little noisy by nature.
 
I hope you have the rocker arm shafts in properly? Have you checked for oil delivery up top?
Mike
 
Hydraulic or mechanical cam?
Did you confirm lash/preload?
 
Which valvetrain components do you have? Im having the same issue almost like a lifter tick. I have the Comp ProMag rockers which Comp says approximately .030 side clearance. Im thinking that is the noise Im hearing , I just dont know how much lateral movement those actually have during operation.
 
Should have included more info....
440 bored.030.
Hyd flat tappets/stamped rockers
I would assume the rocker shafts are
installed correctly as an engine builder
put this together for me.
Engine is stock with a mild .480 lift cam.
The lifters are TRW brand. (now speedpro?)
Having difficulties loading a video.
 
Last edited:
A fast rate cam, and/or lifters with a fast bleed rate will tend to be noisy.
Insufficient lifter preload can be noisy as well.

Depending on exactly what parts are being used...... what you’re hearing may be “normal”.
 
Simple answer and what to do - very possible you have a worn/bent rocker arm and/or pushrod.
1. Use a mechanic stethascope (sp?), or hose to your ear, or metal bar to your ear to determine if the sound is on the driver or passenger side.
2. Remove valve cover on the noisy side
3. Wiggle all the rockers by hand looking for slack.
4. Rotate engine & repeat

You're looking for a valve/lifter/pushrod/rocker where the rocker arm can tilt back & forth while tilting it. All rocker should be tight all the time.

5. Once you find out which valve/lifter/pushrod/rocker has the play, replace as necessary.
 
PurpleBeeper said:
Simple answer and what to do - very possible you have a worn/bent rocker arm and/or pushrod.
1. Use a mechanic stethascope (sp?), or hose to your ear, or metal bar to your ear to determine if the sound is on the driver or passenger side.
2. Remove valve cover on the noisy side
3. Wiggle all the rockers by hand looking for slack.
4. Rotate engine & repeat

You're looking for a valve/lifter/pushrod/rocker where the rocker arm can tilt back & forth while tilting it. All rocker should be tight all the time.

5. Once you find out which valve/lifter/pushrod/rocker has the play, replace as necessary.
Click to expand...
Won't a bent pushrod/bad lifter have an effect
on compression?
All 8 at 5 revs showed 150 psi. Not so
much as a pounds' difference. Vacuum gauge
needle steady @15/650 rpm in gear.
 
PRHeads said:
A fast rate cam, and/or lifters with a fast bleed rate will tend to be noisy.
Insufficient lifter preload can be noisy as well.

Depending on exactly what parts are being used...... what you’re hearing may be “normal”.
Click to expand...
Would the Comp XE/HL series cam lend themselves to a tick with proper preload?
TY!
 
They can tend to be noisier than something with slower/smoother lobes.

Though, the bleed rate of the lifters is usually the ultimate determining factor on just how noisy they are.

It’s like how Rhodes lifters are noisy on everything because the bleed rate is rather high.
 
I would guess the 480 lift is an old school cam.
 
Yeh, that should be pretty quiet.

As mentioned previously...... might want to see if you can isolate the area it’s coming from.

Most performance cams have faster ramps than OE cams...... so I wouldn’t be looking for that type of basically dead quiet operation........ especially at elevated engine speeds(like holding it at 2500-3000 with your head under the hood).
 
1STMP said:
Should have included more info....
440 bored.030.
Hyd flat tappets/stamped rockers
I would assume the rocker shafts are
installed correctly as an engine builder
put this together for me.
Engine is stock with a mild .480 lift cam.
The lifters are TRW brand. (now speedpro?)
Having difficulties loading a video.
Click to expand...
If you like, you can email me the video and I'll post it on my YouTube channel, then link
it in this thread.
(We can't directly upload videos to FBBO)
 
moparedtn said:
If you like, you can email me the video and I'll post it on my YouTube channel, then link
it in this thread.
(We can't directly upload videos to FBBO)
Click to expand...
That will work for me if you don't mind.
Send a PM. Thanks!
 
What 493 Mike said

Since your running factory type stamped steel rockers , pull off your valve covers and make sure your rocker arm shafts where not installed with the oil holes facing upward

First thing I would check for peace of mind
 
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