Lifter Noise

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Jun 1, 2007 | 11:29 PM

sleddog60

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From: Saint Francis, Minnesota

Lifter Noise

I just had my 351C stroker block replaced with a newly overhauled 351C, Comp Cams part number 32-224-4 was installed with the 832-16 hydraulic lifters. My 4 barrel heads had adjustable roller rockers, these were retained to go on my rebuilt short block. The valve springs were checked to make sure they weren't overly strong for the new cam and lifter combo. I got a couple of hours on the engine and so far it runs nice and smooth with a mild rough idle, no missing, hot oil pressure at idle is 55psi. I'm using Rotella diesel oil.
The only thing that I notice is a slight sound that sounds like I got solid lifters, not as noticable as the old set up, but still noticable. Could this be comming from my adjustable roller rockers, or should this set up be as quiet as a stock engine with hydraulic lifters? I guess basically what I,m asking is there some inherant valve train noise with adjustable roller rockers?

Dennis

Jun 2, 2007 | 01:48 AM

Torque1st

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There is no noise inherent in adjustable roller rockers. The only noise would come from the guide plates and pushrods. With hyd lifters there is always an oil cushion taking up slack in the valvetrain unless preload is incorrect. Sounds like the lifter preload has not been set properly.

Jun 2, 2007 | 02:08 AM

roger dowty

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From: western montana

I have some cheaper...procomp...roller lifterms on my wheezer and there is clatter but there is play in each lifter as tolerances are not like my scorpions. Some have reported that all rollers have a little clatter..or their own sound?

I'd definitely listen to Eric though and recheck their adjustment...many folks really don't get how to set up adjustable rollers ie set the geometry making sure the roller is moving accross the center of the stem as it should and then measuring the pushrod length with an adjustable pushrod (making sure the lifter is properly loaded but not overloaded-and then ordering the right length pushrod.

I have it down due to a couple of pain in the **** builds.

Jun 2, 2007 | 02:47 AM

Torque1st

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All the slop even if the parts have loose tolerances in the bearings should be taken up by the oil cushion in the lifter preload. The system oil pressure is constantly trying to push all the valve train components together and open the valves thru a check valve in the lifter. Of course the system oil pressure and the area it is pushing against creates a small force compared to the valve spring pressure.

Last edited by Torque1st; Jun 2, 2007 at 02:58 AM.

Jun 2, 2007 | 10:16 PM

sleddog60

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Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 54

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From: Saint Francis, Minnesota

Thanks for all the info guys, I'll first make sure all the settings esp. lifter preload, are correct in case things changed during the first coulple of hours of driving, (this should probably be done any way) and then go from there.
Thanks again for the help.

Denny