You said: "You don't need an operable downshift solenoid in the TH400 with a well thought out Pontiac build. As a matter of fact, I unhook them in my vehicles. Instead, I use my right hand to select lower gears if/as needed plus full control of the upshift points as well. Using the solenoid would for sure destroy the car or get me killed or seriously injured anyhow. If I were cruising along at 30 mph or so and went to full throttle the engine would try to rip the tires right off the rims if it shifted to low gear and I'd likely lose control of it and end up wrapped around a telephone pole."
I have a Gear Vendors Over Underdrive in mine for the racer in me that came in this second-hand project. I don't have Manual Valve body in the TH 400 Trans. either. I do have plenty of extra weight in the trunk so I don't end up in the wrong lane in the rain.
You said: I'd also add here the use of Rhoads lifters on a RAIV cam has absolutely NOTHING to do with racing the car or not. They are used to help offset the 80 something degrees of overlap and improve idle quality, vacuum production at idle speed and for improved throttle response and engine power right off idle and low RPM's. They work as advertised and take these somewhat "antiquated" engine designs to give them variable valve timing, like modern engines. The downside is that they make noise while doing it, which some folks can tolerate and others simply cannot.
I could use: " Improved throttle response and engine power right off idle and low RPM's"
However, since I have never listened to the Variable Valve lifters, I am leery of any noise they make. The question is: since I am not racing this vehicle will the throttle response be noticeable on the road? When I take off from a dead stop with these Tri-power Carbs. I ease into the peddle and try to match the RPMs to Engine sound. Will the VV Lifters truly give me a snappier like Motorcycle take off response? Who wouldn't want that feeling?
You said: Advancing the cam has really nothing to do with engine noise unless you went so far, the valves are smacking the pistons. In that event it would have bent them and you'd be walking anyhow. I've found that the RAIV cam likes to be at 109-110 ICL in a 455 build with moderate compression. Never used one in a 428 but I still wouldn't advance it very far, maybe 108-109ICL and run with it..........FWIW.....
About the current problem of Vibration or noise in this 428 ci HO Motor I sent my roommate to listen by using a tube to his ear to Engine Block and he came up with this: Noise coming from / near cylinder #1 and #4, called it possible Rod Knock? Then this: Lifter / Valve tap @ #3 and #5 @ idle to 1000 RPM, diminishes after that. possibly bent or burnt Exhaust Valve? Then oil pressure drops from 60 psi cold to 15 psi hot, using an external oil pressure gauge. Indication of worn Mains and Rod Bearings?
I think after looking @ the Spark Plugs, # 3+4 that have Black suit on the positive electrode porcelain area, where heat is measured, I believe, means cold temp. Since they share the same Crank Journals and they may not be firing correctly, perhaps the problem in vibration is reverb in the Intake Manifold. Since I had no Engine issues prior to rebuilding the Trans., I will not believe that this Engine just got weak! Sending Photos of plugs. What do you think?
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