working on a 77 dodge 4x4 with 30,000 miles on it , customer had some one install a edelbrock performer cam and lifters , and new pushrods ,an Intake and 4bbl now the engine has a tapping noise coming from vavetrain area that is intermitant, took vavle covers off everything looks fine, If it were mine I would have replaced rockers too. some times the noise seems to come from bellhousing area too, any suggestions what to look for would be appreciated

1st see what you have for preload

ok , but it has non adjustable rockerarms , how to check for preload??

On #1 cyl on base circle (TDC #1 cyl compression) measure how far the rocker arm assy compresses the lifter cup down starting from all the way up against the retainer. Use a sharpie on a pushrod before/after in relation to a reference mark to a straight edge across the head valve cover flat rail. (iirc .020-.030" is enough) one or more may be borderline too close since it's intermittent tho I did have a late hyd lifter /6 w noise that came & went & never had a prob ex for the occaisional noise but it was bothersome & it was not hotrodded so I put up w it

Did the exhaust valves have rotators. If so get rid of the m and get some regular springs and retainers. Rotators and springs are very short and good source for coil bind with much over a stock cam

thanks for the help , gives me some things to look at a little closer