Noisy Valve Train - Mostly @ 2500+ RPM ....

[72ls5fla]

Ok - now the next project (since I got the over heating fixed) ......


When the car is cold, not at operating temp - very little noise in the valve train at all.

Once I have driven for a good bit and temps are 180+, specially after HWY driving.
The valve train is very noisy - to much excessive ticking/clicking".  It much more evident when the engine is runnning 3000 +  RPM (I have 4.10 rear end).

I use 3 quarts 15-40 Shell Rotella + Amsoil ZINC additive, balance LUCAS heavy oil treatment.


I am pretty sure there are no adjustments.

Are my only options to start replacing parts??
if so - where should I start first, ie:  rocker arms, rocker arm shafts, or lifters.
I don't know how the engine was rebuilt durring the older restration (done way before my time).

Any suggestions are always welcomed!!

Thanks --

Bill

[femtnmax]

Your oil mixture sounds like it is not the problem.  So could be the lifters are leaking down too fast once the oil warms up...assuming the cam is hydraulic type.  For hydraulic cam need to check the valve stem installed height to verify that part of the valve job was done correctly.  Measure the height from the valve stem tip to the valve spring seat and compare to spec for your engine.  Best to remove rocker shaft to do this...easy to do.  There is a spec for this as it sets the correct lifter preload for mopar non-adjustable rocker arms.  A good valve job will have the valve stem height the same for all valves...can check with a straight edge across all the vavle stems.   If this measurement is ok, then could be lifters are leaking down too fast, maybe worn out or could be the fast leakdown type lifters...which in my opinion should be replaced regardless, because if the correct cam was installed then won't need fast leak down lifters.  The pushrod length should be correct because there is no noise when the engine is cold.
Repair options include replace the lifters & use the existing cam, or replace cam&lifters, or install adjustable rocker arms which I like to do no matter what cam/lifter combo is installed.   
A good suggestion is to buy the cam and lifters from the same company.    Lunati cams makes a good product.

[72ls5fla]

thanks for the info ---


I will take the measurements as suggested and report back.

I am going to replace the lifters regardless.  What type should I buy, that are good to 6500 RPM w/o float?

is it possible the rocker arms are worn out or oblonged?

Bill

[Moparal]

How big is your oil pan?   

[72ls5fla]

i think I added 7 quarts to the engine durring the change.

[Strawdawg]

what is the oil pressure?

[72ls5fla]

By the gauge ----

It reads one line/bar short of the top limit (roughly 80% of the total travel).   Not sure what the actual PSI.

[the_engineers]

When did the noise start?

[72ls5fla]

only owned the car for three weeks.

don't have any history.

Has made the same noise consistently - 

[Chryco Psycho]

the tip of the rocker arm over the valve stem will wear , we just did an engine where we instaled a new higher lift cam & the valve train was making horrible noise , the rockers were clicking as they went past the old wear area , I had not inspected them properly when we re-installed them , so we installed a new set of adjustable rockers & the noise went away

[Strawdawg]

Why are you adding heavy oil treatment to the oil?

[72ls5fla]

oil amount was a typo ----


I add the Lucas becuase it helps to keep oil from breaking down and it also keeps the inside of an engine spotless.  It coats all parts and helps to protect bearing etc....

as for pinging - not the case.  The noise is most definitely rocker/lifter noise.  It seems to be comming from one side more than the other and I can isolate it to a group of rocker/litfters.


I am thinking that I will just by all new rocker arms, and shafts, as well as lifters and replace everything. 

What is the best manufacturer to purchase from?  I want to get a set that has the best "leak down" traits available.

Thanks in advance.

Bill

[mojavered]

Crower Cool Face lifters have been recommended before

[72ls5fla]

I really want to stick with hydraulic lifters.

[jimynick]

A few questions. Is the engine rebuilt? Heads been off? Did I miss whether this is a big or small block? Stock lifters/push rods/cam/rockers?