The motor I build is a 1966 289 with year? 302 heads. I am having a clapping or knocking (how ever one puts it) problem with the rockers. The heads have pedestal rockers and I was told that with out a stud they are non adjustable. So I toque them down to 20lbs I am still getting about ¼ inch or less of play in them I put 302 push rods in it with 289 lifters and 302 rockers. And I put the old rockers back in. Could the rockers have that much wear on them? And has anyone else done this setup before? Would it help if I went with a stud conversion on the heads and change the rocker arms to something other than stock rockers. And put guide plates in for the rods. Or should I put in new stock rockers first then try putting in different rods? Thanks for any help.
tweakingit

 

on my 68 poncho 400 i had this problem plus lots of pinging....i replaced the timing chain to gears to nao avail but then checked out the rockers and shimmed them a littl ebut didn't help enough.....i replaced the hydraulic lifters with new ones from the local parts store and ran like a champ and made no noise at all