Tappets ticking?

[Normspeed]

But Norm, did you click on the link and listen to the noise? It sounds like a lot more valve noise than I would consider OK.

Just as too little clearance can burn valves, I've heard that too much (way too much) can beat up valve stem ends, lifters and cams.

Like Don mentioned. A little ticking is better than no ticking. I've owned several 6 clylinder mopars and most of them were new. They all ticked. Whenever I ask the dealer about that the answer was always the same. They are supposed to tick a little. Get them too tight and you'll burn the valve.

[Norm's Coupe]

But Norm, did you click on the link and listen to the noise? It sounds like a lot more valve noise than I would consider OK.

Just as too little clearance can burn valves, I've heard that too much (way too much) can beat up valve stem ends, lifters and cams.

To be honest Norm I didn't click on Steven's link because I didn't realize the picture was a link. Kept wondering how you guys heard his engine running.

I did listen to it and it does make more noise than my coupe does. However, it seems to be running nice and smooth. I've had a couple of slant sixes in the past that were about that loud or louder and had no problems with them, other than the noise.

That said I know one guy locally that has a 49 first series and his engine is very quiet. I'd say it was one of those with the settings too tight.

Guess the bottom line is, if he's worried about the noise it wouldn't hurt to go back in a double check things.

[FMSPEED49]

What kind and weight of oil are you running?

[Young Ed]

Both mine are quiet. Valves were set cold by the shop before either engine was ever run. Both have 3K miles and no issues so far.

[greg g]

Hey here is a Studebaker that sounds just like yours.......

[Jim Saraceno]

Let me add two things here. If you open your valve covers and set them while the car is running, you will hear the offending valves quiet down when you insert the feeler gauge.

Also, if the heads of your tappets are cupped, you will get a false reading with your feeler gauges. One of mine was cupped more then .010" making the actual measurement double.

[Normspeed]

That's good advice Jim.

[FMSPEED49]

I put a quart of lucas oil stabilizer in at every oil change, that quiets it right down.

[steveplym]

What kind and weight of oil are you running?

I'm running 10w 30.

I'm planning on pulling the valve covers again this weekend and taking another look. Will let you guys know what I find out.

[steveplym]

Alright, I got under the car again today. Pulled the valve covers and no springs are broken. That is a good sign.

So I decided to start using the feeler gauge to quiet the tappets with the engine running. Found out Exhaust on #3 was ticking. Readjusted that. Intake on #5 and #6 ticking quite loudly. I went ahead and adjusted #5 Intake with no problems. Tried to get #6 adjusted but the tappet will not budge. Started to use vise grips on the lwr part and 7/16" wrench on the top part, but still would not budge.

Anybody got any tips on how to break this loose, without heavily damaging the tappet?

I think getting this one adjusted will fix my noise problem. I remember the last time I adjusted them I skipped this one as it would not budge.

[steveplym]

Well I kept fighting it and got the intake tappet on #6 adjusted. Still makes noise though and I've got it narrowed down to that tappet only making noise. I've adjusted it to .008 and afraid to adjust it any more. I may just have to live with a little noise. May be a cupped tappet, but I'm not too interested in replacing it quite yet.

[Normspeed]

Glad to hear it's not springs. Only thing I could suggest is using two really good quality tight fitting open end wrenches, the thicker the better. There is a difference in thickness in different brands. A fatter wrench will have more surface area to hook up with the lifter, less chance of rounding off. Try both directions, sometimes it will break loose easier one way than the other.

If there's a way to sneak a flare nut wrench on, that would do it. Those are really fat.

Vice grips, always a scary choice but I'll admit they've gotten me out of some jams (pun intended). How about one of those beak jaw crescents from craftsman?

[steveplym]

Norm,

I've got it loose, but I'm contemplating whether I'm going to try to adjust it any more. I don't like the noise, but it's better than a burnt valve.

[Normspeed]

I'd set it by the book. My book says P15 setting is .010 intake and exhaust. But, that's just my $.02.

My cam is a reground, I set it at .012 and can't hear the tappets at all.

Glad it turned out to be an easy fix.

[martybose]

If you go on the McMaster-Carr website and search for "tappet wrench" you'll find the right tool for the job. Tappet wrenches are longer for more leverage and have thicker wrench heads for better bite.

www.mcmaster.com

Marty

[steveplym]

Alright here is what I found out. Looks like #6 intake tappet is cupped. Lots of up and down play in it compared to how close the clearance is shown on the feeler gauge. Another problem was I didn't notice I bent the feeler gauge when testing for noise while the engine was running. I readjusted this tappet until the hammering quieted down to a dull ticking noise. This tappet spins around better than the rest of the tappets when running.

Motor does seem to be running better with the valves adjusted right. Tomorrow I will reseal the valve covers and go for a spin. I hope this is the end of the saga, but with my luck probably not.

[steveplym]

Also, here is a new video of the tappets and a little quieter in comparison to the first video. You can see the tappet 2nd from the back of the motor is spinning freely. That is the one I have had so much trouble with today.

[Normspeed]

It will be even quieter when the covers are back on.

[steveplym]

It will be even quieter when the covers are back on.

You're right Norm. A much quieter ride and a more enjoyable one at that. Felt like driving a new car. Took it for a 40 mile run today. Runs great, temp at 160, oil pressure holding steady. It is about 65 degrees today and mainly sunny. I had a blast listening to the old flathead purr. Much better than "tap, tap, tap, tap".

Next thing to do is drive it this week and keep breaking it in. Then sand down the old lacquer and repaint. The 30 year old paint job is showing its age. It will never be officially done as I will be trying to make it better all the time. I just love working on this old mopar.

[Plymouthy Adams]

it is also recommended to have the inner exhast valves a bit looser yet if driven at substained highway speeds as the mass of the manifold tends to keep this secition of the engine at a higher temperature..

[Normspeed]

That's great, it's rewarding to have a job turn out nice. They really are fun to work on. I need to do my final valve adjustment one of these days. Unless it gives me trouble some day, that will be the last time I intend to visit the valves for years. I adjusted mine 500 miles or so after the rebuild, found an oversize valve guide in one spot and couldn't adjust that one right. It got pretty loud at higher rpms. Took it back to the place that built the motor, they made good on it, and I checked the adjustment right away. I never re-adjusted the valves after that. I have around 8300 miles on it since the rebuild.