Fresh 440. Stealth heads. Comp hydraulic Xtreme Energy™ Hi-Lift XE275HL. It has ticks that will not go away! It's louder than the solid lifter cam I ran in my last 440. I've changed springs. I tried different anti-pump lifters. I tried different preload with crane adjustable valvetrain. I even pulled the adjustable and tried the factory pushrods and rockers. The noise seems to come from the middle of both valve covers. What am I missing? Could it be a cam bearing not aligned properly? I doubt I'll be able to sell the car when I'm ready soudning like this.

Got a windage tray? Could it be hitting a rod bolt?

Maybe a TC bolt backed out a bit and is just kissing the block.

You absolutely sure it's valve train related? Have you pulled the valve cover and listened to each rocker with a stethoscope to narrow it down?

I've got a windage tray but I'm sure this is valvetrain noise. I've checked the TC bolts and they are tight. From what I've read on other posts, these cams are loud. I'm just a little flabbergasted at how loud. I've got headers (that i've pressure tested for leaks) and quite exhaust. The engine makes great power and I'm very happy with all but the ticking.

I ain't run into this myself but the Moparters here say that a header leak can sound just amazingly similar. Any chance it could be pin/lock related? I would do what Supercuda said & breakout the stethoscope. Holler how it turns out. EDIT always done it since breakin/new

I can confirm that...had that exact situation once, I was using the SB headers which have a short run of one of the primary tubes slide into the remaining tube...eventually, somehow, I got a leak there...no crack, just corrosion I suppose (car was used during Canuck winters, lots of road wear)...I took me some time to figure that one out.

Also had the TC issue as well. One of the bolts backed out enough to just nick, we are talking barely a touch, the dustshield cover...once I pulled the inspection cover and had a look at all the bolts it was easy to tell though.

My exhaust manifolds keep doing this even after buying Remflex gaskets. Mine are a major pain to change on 67 rt ragtop. Good luck.