The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Loud lifter

Today started up my 52 Chevy truck has a 235
Heard a knocking at first wasn’t sure if was in the head or the block opened the hood and sounded like coming from the head after a few minutes of engine warm up the sound went away.
So what should I be looking for as far possible repair if needed
Thanks

Start with a valve adjustment.

It will help if you confirm which 235 you have and are working on please as the differences could help find your problem. You have asked for help a few times in the past to ID a few different 235's, from a 1952 out of a 5000/6000 Series Big Bolt to a couple of later 235's. One of those was a 1956 passenger car 235. Either way, you need to pull the valve cover and check your valve train for things out of adjustment/worn and even possibly a sticking valve.

Once you check it out, get back with some pictures of what you may suspect or find from your inspection.

First thing to determine is whether the 235 has hydraulic or solid lifters?

It's a common characteristic of some hydraulic lifters to clatter when engine is started cold. Clatter goes away while engine is warming up and oil starts to flow.

engine is a 1957 car engine

It's possible it has a hydraulic cam which could tie in with "ol 55" reply above. Can you share the stamped serial number so we can try and check what it may have come with originally?

Edit: Is it possible the engine is this one that you also asked for help ID'ing?

I have a rebuilt 62 235 with hyd. lifters, I have been dealing with the same problem for years. I have replaced all the lifters with Melling lifters, replaced the rocker assembly and push rods. I still have some noise on start up sometimes, but it's much better than it was. The Melling lifters (USA made) helped a lot. Also all that hammering cracked the top of two of the push rods which eventually broke, so I replaced all of them. Also I switched oil from 10-30 to Rotella 15-40

My 235 from a ‘59 passenger with hydraulic lifters has the same issue. The lifters that you buy lately all suffer from the same issue. Some are good, others make noise from day one. I have two lifters that make noise but once my truck warms up, the noise goes away. I’ve heard on this forum that the noise, as long as it goes away, is not an issue.

Thanks I will keep ears opened make sure it goes away when warmed up

My 235 out of a 57 bel Aire does the same unless it ran the day before.
Cold start after a couple days it takes about a minute and a half for the noise to go away. On
1/4 throttle out. But its just a slight tap noise that gradually gets better then gone.

Best described issue
Thanks

My clacking doesn't happen every time I start it. I believe that it all depends on if the valve where the sticky hydraulic lifter plunger resides is open when the engine comes to a halt at shutdown. All of the oil will have been pushed out and it doesn't want to pump back up until the engine reaches 180 degrees.

What weight oil are you using?

I have been using 10W30 until recently changing to 15w40.
There has been no change in the clacking lifter.