Lots of noise from engine.

[Virg464]

I'm running a comp cam (XR292HR-10), with comp roller lifters, and 440 source roller rockers, and it doesn't make a sound (that I can hear). I would take the 25 mile trip and have the builder take a listen. I've heard they can be noisy, but I'd want to make sure. Would hate to shoot a push rod through the hood!

 

[dadsbee]

Sumptin's hammering sumtin in there!

 

[Orig69]

It sounds like the same ticking noise in the video you posted on March 29th

J

Thread 'Idles great, sounds good….but…'

Mar 29, 2026

Not sure how to upload video.

Revving engine to 2500-3000 is fine. But sustained or harder acceleration causes backfire through carb.

Need some guidance to correct. New build(very reputable local race engine builder). Using Progression distributor and Holley Street demon carb(750cfm).

Initial timing is set at 18 with all in at 36.

Engine Setup (440 Big Block bored .060)
• Displacement: 440 CID
• Compression Ratio: ~10.5:1
• Camshaft: .530 lift
• Duration: .230 / .236
• Type: Performance hydraulic roller.
Forged 440 source pistons with Manley...

• Justasgood
• Replies: 42
• Forum: Engine, Trans & Driveline

 

[Justasgood]

So what procedure did you use to adjust them?

I wasn't there when it was built. The man and his son have been building high quality race motors for years.

 

[pnora]

I wasn't there when it was built. The man and his son have been building high quality race motors for years.

You said this in your first post.

[[[New build from a very reputable rave Engine builder. I’ve never had a roller motor and I was expecting some “sewing machine” sounds, but is this too much? I e pulled the valve covers and all the crane roller rockers are adjusted to spec.]]]

When you said adjusted to specs one would of expected you adjusted them. Which now obviously you did not. My advice is get the valves properly adjusted. I can clearly hear excessive valve clearance.

 

[Bird 426]

It is possible that the tick can come from something else in there, even if the valves are adj correctly. I have adjusted half way the travel of the tappet, and tried treating it like a solid and lashed it at .010 cold. Same tick. Having said that, this all needs to be checked. Going to probably require collapsing a tappet, and figure how many turns of the adj screw from zero lash to the bottom of the lifters travel. You have to bleed the oil out of the tappet to do this.

 

[Justasgood]

I inspected the driver side rocker arms. Looked under the valve cover and no witness marks can be found. After checking each push rod for spin/play, I found the #3 cylinder exhaust rocker/pushrod to have some up/down play. All other assemblies seemed normal. Valves open - no spin, others tight to moderate friction to spin.
I adjusted the rocker about 1/4 turn to get the play out and have a moderate amount of friction while spinning the push rod.

Before doing any of that, I pushed down firmly on each arm to see if I were able to compress any of the lifters and I could not.

we shall see in an hour when I start her up if that quiets things down. I'm optimistic that it will.

I also reached out to the builder to schedule a visit........

 

[pnora]

I inspected the driver side rocker arms. Looked under the valve cover and no witness marks can be found. After checking each push rod for spin/play, I found the #3 cylinder exhaust rocker/pushrod to have some up/down play. All other assemblies seemed normal. Valves open - no spin, others tight to moderate friction to spin.
I adjusted the rocker about 1/4 turn to get the play out and have a moderate amount of friction while spinning the push rod.

Before doing any of that, I pushed down firmly on each arm to see if I were able to compress any of the lifters and I could not.

we shall see in an hour when I start her up if that quiets things down. I'm optimistic that it will.

I also reached out to the builder to schedule a visit........

For cripes sake adjust them all. You need to find some one to get it done right. All of them should be adjusted to get all the pre load removed and adjusted about .040 1 turn. Quit hodge podging around and get them all set.

 

[Justasgood]

For cripes sake adjust them all. You need to find some one to get it done right. All of them should be adjusted to get all the pre load removed and adjusted about .040 1 turn. Quit hodge podging around and get them all set.

I plan to do it this weekend.

 

[pnora]

I plan to do it this weekend.

Its important to get them all set correctly. Then if there are changes on the lash opening up you should be concerned. If it opens up a lifter or cam lobe might be on its way out.

 

[Justasgood]

OK, so in going through the valve train, all adjustments have been made. I do however have a concern and need to know if it is valid. In adjusting the rockers and checking for play in the pushrod(up/down), I noticed a few push rods that I was able, (with force), to compress the lifter slightly. Is that normal or do I have defective lifters that need replacing?

The engine sounds great now and the only valve train noise is at cruising speed, and it sounds like I would expect. No knocks or heavy tapping, just a smooth constant mechanical sound. Like a quiet sewing machine. At idle it sounds much better and the rhythm of the cam is noticeable.

 

[Bird 426]

It takes some force to collapse or push the oil out of a tappet. Did you find one that the adjustment was off? Sounds like you are happy now.

 

[Justasgood]

It takes some force to collapse or push the oil out of a tappet. Did you find one that the adjustment was off? Sounds like you are happy now.

I did find one that I could move the push rod up and down a smidge. But I also came across 2 or three that it seemed I could feel the lifter compress when I pushed the rod down hard.

 

[b-body-bob]

It takes some force to collapse or push the oil out of a tappet. Did you find one that the adjustment was off? Sounds like you are happy now.

I built a hydraulic flat tappet small block and the lifters (Howard's) would bleed off every time I shut the engine down. So I replaced them, and the new ones did the same thing. The first set looked to be sourced from Johnson, the second set from another manufacturer I don't remember.

I probably used up all my luck breaking in two different sets of lifters, but the motor still rattles like a can full of rocks until the lifters pump up.