The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Noisy Lifter

So, I've been through adjusting my valves I dono how many times (.006 intake, .013 exhaust), and I still have one that ticks. My pushrods and rocker arm assemblies are new, as are the valves and springs (head was done a year ago). The other night, I reset them after I drove home from work. I started it and that one was ticking. Immediately, I checked the adjustment and they were all fine. I don't get it. What am I missing? :mad:

Can you pinpoint which one is ticking? If you havn,t put the feeler gauge in the ones in the area of the noise. If it goes away with the gauge in it that is the one. Try adjusting it about .002 tighter than specs. It could have a little wear on the camshaft causeing the noise or a slight chance you have a car powerglide engine with hydraulic lifters.

It sounds like you've done everything right. So now you have to double check some of the things your doing. Possible your adjusting the wrong valve? Recheck to make sure you have the intakes and exhaust matched up in the right position on each adjustment. Possible the set screw is coming loose for some reason on the one lifter your having trouble with. Check for bent push rod. Check for lack of oil on noisy lifter. Uh... I've run out of ideas. Cecil...

Sounds like sticking hydraulic lifters. If it quiets down after it warms up, I would say it's no big deal. Mine does that too, but only when cold. When it warms up, it is quiet. Is that the case with you too?

If it bothers you that much, just try buying a new set of lifters. That might do the trick.

If you are setting the lash like that I'm assuming that you have solid lifters.

Are you sure that it is really a lifter ticking? Sometimes the fuel pump cam follower makes a noise that is very close to that, or you have some teeth on the timing gears that are chewed up. It could even be the points in the distributor or the rotor whacking a cap tower that is too high.

If it is really a valve, don't give in to the temptation to tighten it up beyond spec. You will greatly shorten the service life of the valve seats if you do. Slightly ticky valves are the correct setting on non-hydraulic lifters. They will not ruin anything by ticking.

My 261 has a pretty noisy valvtrain. I noticed a big differance by switching to a differant oil. I was using Valvoline 10W-40 and I switched to Chevron Delo 400 15W-40 and it has made a huge differance in valve train noise. Much quieter. It also smokes a bit less. I have leaky valve seals.

Thanks for the ideas, guys. I guess I should have mentioned that the lifters are in fact solid. I haven't been able to pinpoint the exact lifter, but it sounds like it is either on the #5 or 6 cylinder. I don't think it will cause problems, but it is just real annoying. One of these nice spring days I'll recheck my adjustments, and I may look into that Delo oil. Thanks again!!