Introductions first, I'm 62, been around cars and back yard mechanicing for 45 plus years. Current projects are my 5.0 Mustang drivetrain powered 1990 Miata. Think of it as and old guys ultimate hybrid. Just put a set of 165 AFR heads on along with a set of Scorpion roller rockers. Started it last week, just need to clean up a few details and it's back on the road.
Other and more importantly this's forums specialty is the newest project, a 1951 3600 with original engine and a documented 43,800ish miles.
I've only had the truck a couple weeks and have been sorting out various issues, straighten bent tie rod (amazing how much better it drives), change fuel pump, new vacuum advance and other minor issues.
Now to the question, it has one noisy lifter, the intake on number 4 when set at 6 thou is noisy as all get out. Driving down the road at 45 it's all I can hear. I can tighten it down so it's as quite as it's neighbors but when I do it's at about .002 (hot engine). I'm tempted to set it there and just drive it and see what happens. But then the old burnt valve possibility makes me keep it on .006 and noisy. I'm using a standard flat blade feeler gauge (about 1/2" wide). My research tells me I should use a wire gauge, just don't have one.
So, anyone have an opinion on just tightening it down till it's almost quite and driving on?
I'll pull the rocker arms when I get a bit more time and see if I can figure out what's going on. I did check and oil is flowing everywhere it appears it should be.
Thanks in advance, Ron
