[25stevem]

Even zoomed in I don’t see any marks to be concerned with.

It seems like you think that the rockers on numbed one cylinder have a problem with there adjustment.

If that is the case then pull the passenger side valve cover off , then spin the motor over until you see number 6 exh valve open some.

When this takes place note how the rocker on the intake valve of number six feels.

The way that that feels in terms of up and down play is the same way that both valve back over on numbed one cylinder should feel play wise if all is well.

Is that the case?

[NeighborsComplaint]

Could be rocker/valve cover interference when hot. The long scratches tell me a couple rockers were touching as the valve cover was slid into place under the radiator hose or plug wires. The rockers are typically harder than the valve covers so the valve covers show the marks. Are yours stainless or aluminum?

I would recheck the preload on those rockers with marks. You can play the EO/IC game all day long but I find it easier to just bump the motor over until both rockers on the same cylinder are loose (on the cmpression stroke) stroke and adjust, marking the rockers with a magic marker so I'm not chasing lifter bleed down.

[PunchT37]

Lifters hitting valley pan?

[Holeshot71]

Originally Posted by yellow1098

I take it those marks tell the story no?

#1 intake rocker looks like there could be some witnesses marks. Need to look closely in the valve cover where that rocker was rockin. Also look closely in the corners and the welds.

[MidnightAuto]

Put a second valve cover gasket on it and see if noise goes away. I had clearance issues and that fixed it. As some else said, u can put your hand on the valve cover and usually feel it

[78w72]

x2 or 3 they are not hitting the covers, i dont see any witness marks from a rocker hitting or rubbing on the valve cover, the small straight scratches on the top of 1 or 2 rockers are not from hitting the valve cover & the long straight or swirly scratches on the valve cover are definitely not from the rocker arms.

did someone else build the engine, if so chances are they confirmed if the rockers were hitting the covers, or at least you would hope they did.

its easier to hope they are hitting the covers since all that requires is a spacer, thicker gasket or taller covers compared to readjusting the valve lash that takes some work & can seem complicated if youve never done it. but chances are its a valve lash issue or just a bad/ticking lifter that is common for hyd rollers. do a google or youtube search or use the search function on this forum for how to adjust valve lash, its the same procedure for any hyd lifter.

& be sure to verify the amount of preload the lifter company recommends, some are 1 full turn past zero lash some are 1/2.... & some like to add a little more due to thread pitch of the rocker stud. or another way based on cliff r procedure is to turn the nut all the way down until it stops, then back off 1/2-1 full turn. but all of these versions require the lifter to be on the base of the cam lobe.

[grivera]

I believe these are the marks he’s referring to. Unclear if they are there from factory. I will say based on the video OP posted the style of valve covers used should have ample room for the rockers.

[78w72]

those look more like pitting to me from casting, not rubbing marks.

& i dont see any marks on the rockers themselves that would indicate they are hitting the cover. witness marks will be very specific & rather small, the cover & rockers will usually be shiny where they are making contact in a very small area, not long scratches or pitting etc. & they will match up to exactly where the rocker would be hitting.

when putting the cover back on, i start the bolts but leave them loose, you can them carefully move the cover around up/down, left/right by hand to get a feel for when/where they touch the rockers, easy to determine when its "centered" in the right position to then lock down the bolts.

i have aluminum covers that are stock height with harland sharp rockers & common run of the mill poly locks with just a thicker felpro cork gasket, they do not touch anywhere when installed as mentioned.

OP should readjust all the valves the correct way then be sure the covers are installed right. the main reason for thinking the rockers arent touching the covers is that he said it didnt make noise the first few times running, but then started after a long drive... they would have made noise at first start up if they were touching the covers.

[ID67goat]

Why not just quickly fire it up with the valve covers off and see if the noise is gone? If noise is still there, it should be easier to tell where it is coming from?

[yellow1098]

https://youtu.be/io1XK5jycCY

Literally just tried that….great suggestion! It definitely sounds much different….let me know your guys thoughts on if you think this sounds normal

[Bill Hanlon]

Once you have the valve cover(s) off, get the engine running and then use the heel of your hand (a glove may be in order) to press on the pushrod side of the rocker arms one at a time. If you have an offending rocker, it will change sound. Just takes a minute.

[yellow1098]

https://youtu.be/s0536kgwfMg

Check out the valve covers off noise below and the clanking seems to be gone? Even though I’m still not sure they are hitting the covers…I put a bigger gasket on them and here is that video…the clanking seems to be the same?? maybe those aluminum covers just amply the sound? Is this a normal sounding brand new 10 miles on it 461 with hydraulic roller rockers and a big cam?

[ID67goat]

That seems loud to me. I run a solid roller and the valve train is much quieter and sounds more like a sewing machine.

I would check the lash over again, and if that doesn’t work you might have to start digging deeper….

[PunchT37]

Post 23?

[78w72]

Originally Posted by yellow1098

https://youtu.be/s0536kgwfMg

Check out the valve covers off noise below and the clanking seems to be gone? Even though I’m still not sure they are hitting the covers…I put a bigger gasket on them and here is that video…the clanking seems to be the same?? maybe those aluminum covers just amply the sound? Is this a normal sounding brand new 10 miles on it 461 with hydraulic roller rockers and a big cam?

did you re-adjust the rockers or just put on thicker gaskets?

off topic, but what are those radiator hoses? look awfully small like -8 or -10 braided hose...

[zippy]

Those covers will amplify the sound for sure. They are big drums basically, with the very flat sides and top. Another test, fire engine without cover and slowly put cover over the head. You will hear the sound change, as well as feel any touching of the rockers to cover.

[Against the Wind]

I have run similar valve covers on race engines for years with solid rollers and they are not near that loud. You seem to have a problem. I hope they didn't put oil restrictors in the lifter bores. It sounds like you have lash problems. Re-adjust the rockers and see if it quiets down.

[25stevem]

You know It hard to tell from the audio in that video, but I am questioning if you might have a failed exh header gasket since these can sound just like miss adjusted rockers.

Just for S & G put the valve cover back on and and pull a plug wire, is the noise still taking place?
If yes then shut the motor down put that wire back on and remove another wire and start the motor to listen.

Do this with all 4 cylinders on that bank and see what the put come is.

[yellow1098]

Iv had the same thought…ok I will try that today…do I pull the plug wire before I start the car or does it matter?

[25stevem]

Yes.
You want to run the motor as little as possible if indeed you do have mechanical issues.