The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Intake valve noise

Recently acquired a rebuilt 216 engine. It has a noticeable valve tick, more than normal. While adjusting the valves I've noticed #5, 6, and 7 intake valves have the noise with 6 the loudest. Adjusting did quiet #2 and a little bit on the ones mentioned.

It's pronounced at idle, cruise, coasting, or downshifting. Under load when starting in higher gears it's nice and quiet and sounds great. As soon as a certain rpm or cruise speed is hit it opens up with the ticking.

Is this a vacuum leak issue? My wipers quit working and was wondering if it is a timing issue. The reason I say that is that it is hard to start even when warm without using the choke. Fresh battery and cables.

I also calculated 20+mpg which may mean it's running lean? It is in a Fleetmaster but I thought these engines regardless of vehicle only get about 14 if your lucky.

Any help appreciated.

What rear end gear/transmission are you running?

Well it's a car with standard 3spd column shifter and 4:11 gears.

If your wiper stopped working, you might have a vacuum leak in that line/system.

Disconnect and plug (or, clamp-off) the vacuum line fitting/hose at the intake manifold.

What procedure did you follow to adjust the valves?

Did you check the valve stem mating surface on the rocker arms? They get worn and then getting a good setting for valve-lash is affected.

I disconnected the vacuum line and plugged it. I adjusted per the tech tip on here. I'll have to check for wear where they meet.

I'm still curious as to why the sound disappears when you "load" the engine? Is this an advance/retard issue?

Do you mean that you removed the vacuum line at the wiper motor and plugged the line? That would be OK.