I am having issues. I installed a retro kit roller cam and lifter into my 283 sbc. But cannot adjust the tapping noise out. I run a 10w30 synthetic oil. Not many miles on the block. Rebuilt heads (power pack) I have step up locking nuts, guide plates and screw in studes. Rockers look center on the valves. I did have full roller rockers on it. But swapped them out for stamped and the same some them still tapping. I have adjusted about 20 different ways, not running, running, hot but not running, 1/4 turn, 1/2 turn, 3/4 turn, and also adjusted one valve at a time. Could it be the oil, cam bearings, or ?????
I had a comp cams hydrolic roller in a small block 400 and it was always noisy, if i had known that i would have bought a solid roller. I never did find a way to fix it.
You didn't mention anything about pushrods. Did you change the pushrods to match your new lifters? Sometimes you'll need a different length when putting a roller cam/ lifters in an older motor. One other thing to look for is if the pushrods are hitting the pushrod slot in the head. The slots in the Power Pack heads are pretty small, so a cam with any decent amount of lift can cause them to hit or rub.
I ordered the adjustable push rod to get the proper height, by marking the top of the valve with a marker and making sure the tip was centered after rotating the engine. Then took the push rod to the speed shop here in town and he measured and ordered the size I needed. As for the holes, yes the were machined/drilled larger by the machine shop. But I will make that they are clearing.
The cam bearing? No. The beraing for the fulcrum of the rocker? Not if it's worth a damn to start with. Do the retainers clear the guides with the new cam? How about the springs, they aren't going into coil bind are they? Sounds extreme I know, but I'm working blind here so... Do all the rockers oil properly? If not you might have a few tappets with an air lock in them. I had that on initial start of the Comp retro Roller equiped Ford, only took a little while to clear but it sounded like a Duntov grind till it did. Not too likely, but something I just remembered (while I was typing). Hope something there helps
Very helpfull, thank you! it is getting oil to all of the rockers and retainers clear. I will have to look into the springs
try changing the oil. I've heard that synthetic is actually much thinner than conventional. Try 10W-40 conventional and see what difference that makes. I'm ***uming that your retro kit came with new springs (shouldn't have coil bind if installed properly)... because they're not the same as flat tappet springs... It seems like you've done your homework and eliminated most variables... good luck and let us know how it turns out! Alec.
yes, the kit came with the springs and since it needed the spring seats enlarged I had the machine shop take care of all of it, they put New valves, the machine work, and installed the springs and valves. I was thinking about a heavier oil. I will give it a try. Any thing at this time will be better than adjusting the valves again. hahahaha! thanks all
I would call the cam company. If it is a big name- Comp, Crane, Speedpro...etc... The will have a tech line. It may be the profile of the cam. Some cams are aggresive enough you can hear the valve close. If it's a pushrod you should be able to pull one and see some shine where it's rubbing. Also. Alot of the antipump lifters have a little rattle at idle. I remember the old TRW lifters did. It may be in the design. Call the cam company and they will tell you. Record the call for quality ***urance Jeff
You said your spring seats were enlarged so I am thinking that you need to check to see if the rocker arms has enough clearance between the spring and rocker arm. Some times there is not enough and the rocker hit the top of the spring retainer. If it is hitting you will see it on the rocker arm or you can use a mirror and watch it through its range of motion. I had one do this to me and chased it for some time.
Black Magic has a good point. It also reminded me of a set of full rollers I had that couldn't handle the lift of my cam... and flattened the lobes! Pushrod side of the rocker would stop on the Polylock... and the cam wasn't done doing it's thing. I doubt you're having that problem with stock style rockers, but it's worth a looksie. And, make sure there's plenty of clearance between the rocker & the valve cover itself... that'll make noise if they're kissing. Who did your machine work? Please don't tell me Pflugerville machine, or Quality Engine Exchange... Alec.
Thanks I have not thought of a lot of these things. I will look defently check this stuff out. With the roller rockers the vacuum gauge is going crazy at idle but not as noisy. With the stamped it is steady but chattering like a room full of school kids. Valve covers are good I makes the same noise when they are off while adjusting them running. The work was done at Performance Plus Machine. Pflugerville machine is no longer. (I have had work done by them with no issues)
As dumb as this may sound, do you have enough clearance between the top of the rockers and the valve cover? I dented my early valve covers on a pontiac with a high lift cam. It could be just close enough to be making contact without damaging the valve cover. Also if you call the lifter manufacturer they should be able to tell you how much preload is normal for their lifters- I have seen specs from 1/4 turn to 1 1/4 turn ***uming it is a hydraulic roller lifter. good luck
Yes, the rockers clear the valve covers. They are aluminum and do not have dents in the underside. What I have found is that the I put 10W40 regular oil in and found that the stamped rockers were not clearing the retainers for the valve springs. The full roller rockers clear. Now get some chattering when I start it up, but once it is running chattering is gone, some slight ticking every now and then. Noise is gone! Very Happy!
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