Thanks for all the replies guys, its much appreciated, Ill be tearing into it tomorrow night, ill pull the valvecovers off and will inspect everything closely.

Im reading many different things about the Edelbrock RPM heads in regards to stock rockers and pushrods, I thought they were an exact copy of the physical size of the iron units.


I set the roller rockers when I had the vally pan off and was able to physically see the lifter on the cam, Im thinking of re installing the Hughes Rockers and pushrods and trying to adjust them again but Im thinking it may be difficult not being able to see the cam and lifter?

No it's not that hard though it does make it easier, I have set up a couple of engine that way. The last 2 I did I used adjustable pushrods with stamped steel rockers, so I could set the preload exactly how I wanted it, because not every valve is the exact same height due to casting variation of the heads.

Also note that some .904 lifters are also made to fit AMC applications and those lifters the pushrod seat is .200 taller, meaning you have to run a shorter pushrod. This was also the case on those 2 I did as I used Crower cam savers which are AMC spec. :crazyme:

If you want give me a call and I'll swing by on my way home and give you a hand.

Very interesting on the lifters, these were the same ones I used previously with this cam and the old heads and rockers.


Appreciate the offer John, I may take you up on that, Ill be pulling it apart first and will inspect everything tommorrow night after the kids go to bed, Ill report back what I found, and maybe next week if you wouldnt mind taking a look at it that would be awesome.

sure, let me know.

I pulled the valve covers off, nothing obvious is jumping out at me. The push rods are straight and are not scuffed. I did have the passenger side rocker shaft installed incorrectly. I had the oil holes facing down but not facing the spring. doubt that was the source of my noise though.

I took off the stamped rockers and put the aluminum 1.6 ones back one with the 3/8 push rods. They have the same pre load set as when I removed them as I didn't touch the adjusters. I plan on starting over and adjusting them again, but after I installed it, it felt like some of the rockers were very tight side to side. Should there be some play? I shimmed it to get it as perfect on the valve stem as possible, and may have made them too tight. Could that cause the rockers to be noiser?

I shoot for a minimum of .015 side clearance cold between the rockers That is what both Harland Sharp and T&D call for on ther single shaft rocker kits Let us know what you find please

Have you checked the torque converter bolts?

Hmmm, I know a few are tighter than that, I cant produce any side to side play on a few. Thanks, definitely will be checking that.

its a 4 speed now. Thanks

If you can find an old valve cover, cut the top, bolt it back on and fire it up. This will allow you to do a visual on the valve train without oil flinging all over the place. If nothing is found, swap valve covers and inspect the other side. Make sure there is already some heat in the motor, so that you can maintain a low idle speed.

If you do this you can press on the adjuster end of
the rocker(use gloves) and see if the sound changes..
also... look at the inside of the valve cover.. make
sure the rockers arent hitting the baffles.. this really
amplifies any noise

If it sounds like a diesel (couldn't really tell from your video too much exhaust note), a rattle and clack-ity clack, Id bet it's the bottom end. I noticed the oil pressure was pegged. Did you maybe put the main bearings in upside down? They will run that way for a while, I saw one run that way for about week then it seized a rod. Sounded just like a Diesel. That's my Good luck and hope you find it soon.

That ticking is half engine speed. Rotational noise is a lot faster jmo

I'm with ya But diesels don't tick, they rattle and knock. Going by his description not the vid.....That speed tick from the vid is usually an ex. leak. There is no reason the stock rockers would be causing the issue for a typical freshen up.

Wow, Didn't realize there was a second vid.... that's no exhaust leak...I still think it's bottom end....unless a stuck valve smacking a piston...but not likely. imo.

I made one he can borrow from a valve cover I have with a big dent in it.

Just my 2 cents, if it ain't anything obvious under the valve covers, Piston Slap, or it is one of those wrist Pins they "loosened" up is REALLY loose now.

My friends small block Chevy was making similar noises last week, the rockers were banging against the valve cover, one valve cover actually split open while I was standing there watching it. Hopefully yours is an easy fix like that.

?? sounds like upper valve train to me. This is a solid roller cam and noisy Ross pistons. The quiet down after it warms up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPPjBNwdHfA

Again,thank you all for the replies and suggestions, the engine in that last video sounds a bit similar, but mine doesnt change when the engine warms up.

Im pretty sure the bearings were installed correctly, once the motor warms up, the pressure will stay between 40 and 50 PSI, its pegged when cold.

I need to look at the side to side clearance of the aluminium rockers as I know for a fact I added a few shims this time around to get the roller over the valve stem centered. I know I have a few that feel very tight, I cant even get them to move at all.

John, If you have a cut up cover that you wouldnt mind bringing by, that would be great, let me know if you are around later this week. Thanks again guys!!

Mike