Need direction and insight. Post cam install valvetrain noise
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From: Orlando
Need direction and insight. Post cam install valvetrain noise Everyone. Thank you reading this thread. I'll get right to it. I researched the issue of valvetrain noise after installing a cam and Comp 918's long before today's install project but even I was surprised to hear this racket.
I went with a C1, the 918's and Ti retainers. Install went relatively painlessly and everything is running great up to this point. My big concern is the valvetrain noise. Everything was installed and torqued to GM specs (rockers, etc.) after the install process. Car fired right up and after a few minutes idled fine. Rock solid oil pressure and everything. Everyone, including myself, was almost shocked to hear how loud the valvetrain is. It sounds unnatural to all of us. The car sounds like it has a massive exhaust leak that's how loud it is. It is a constant serious ticking.
Now, did I really underestimate how loud it would be or is this just the new price of poker? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
Will this noise get better with time? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
Is there anything I can do to quiet it down? Thicker oil maybe? It has Mobil 1 5-30 now.
Please folks, point me in the right direction. It sounds like my car is a heap! <img border="0" alt="[cry]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cry.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
I went with a C1, the 918's and Ti retainers. Install went relatively painlessly and everything is running great up to this point. My big concern is the valvetrain noise. Everything was installed and torqued to GM specs (rockers, etc.) after the install process. Car fired right up and after a few minutes idled fine. Rock solid oil pressure and everything. Everyone, including myself, was almost shocked to hear how loud the valvetrain is. It sounds unnatural to all of us. The car sounds like it has a massive exhaust leak that's how loud it is. It is a constant serious ticking.
Now, did I really underestimate how loud it would be or is this just the new price of poker? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
Will this noise get better with time? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
Is there anything I can do to quiet it down? Thicker oil maybe? It has Mobil 1 5-30 now.
Please folks, point me in the right direction. It sounds like my car is a heap! <img border="0" alt="[cry]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cry.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Re: Need direction and insight. Post cam install valvetrain noise I don't know...I've got a B1 cam (221/221//.558/.558//114) and 918s with the 772 retainers. There was almost zero increase in valvetrain noise after the cam and springs went in. The increase in noise was so slight, that I have to have my ear almost right up to the valve cover to actually notice the difference from before, and even then it's only very slight.
How many miles are on your lifters?
How many miles are on your lifters?
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: Need direction and insight. Post cam install valvetrain noise Sorry I can't help with your question but I have one of mine own....is it normal to have valve train noise just because you have swapped cams??? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
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From: Los Angeles
Re: Need direction and insight. Post cam install valvetrain noise RPMWS6, a B1 cam has very unagressive lobes and the valvetrain will be quiet as stock with them.
Jabroni, its hard to judge stuff like this over the internet, but with the agressive lobes like the C1 has a fair amount of valvetrain noise is normal. Mine bothers me all the time but its just part of having a cam with steep ramps. I suggest you find somebody else around that has a cam with XE or XE-R lobes and see how yours compares to theirs soundwise.
Jabroni, its hard to judge stuff like this over the internet, but with the agressive lobes like the C1 has a fair amount of valvetrain noise is normal. Mine bothers me all the time but its just part of having a cam with steep ramps. I suggest you find somebody else around that has a cam with XE or XE-R lobes and see how yours compares to theirs soundwise.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: new england
Re: Need direction and insight. Post cam install valvetrain noise Jabroni, it may be normal with your cam, but just be sure you didnt cut, nick or otherwise damage oil pump pick up tube o-ring. GM has a bulletin on this causing aeration of incoming oil causing loud valvtrain. Its easy to damage this seal so if your oil; is foaming and car is louder than other cam cars you may go back in and replace seal.
Re: Need direction and insight. Post cam install valvetrain noise My TR 224 sounds the same way. It is a fact of life I believe with a aggressive cam. Check out all the possible problems and if they are all ok, just live with it...
1. Pushrods
2. Rocker Arms are tight
3. Oil Level and pressure are ok
4. Listen to each injector.
if none of them are bad, I would just run it......
1. Pushrods
2. Rocker Arms are tight
3. Oil Level and pressure are ok
4. Listen to each injector.
if none of them are bad, I would just run it......
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 857
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From: Orlando
Re: Need direction and insight. Post cam install valvetrain noise I appreciate the input, everyone. As bad as it sounds, I am almost leaning toward the fact that this is the new way of life. If it is, then so be it. I was just worried that it may have been out of the norm. Anyone else please feel free...
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Re: Need direction and insight. Post cam install valvetrain noise Roller rockers will help. Yella Terra has a great product for a reasonable price. Call Mark @ Raging Motorsports------------------------>>>>
He has one set left.
My TR 224 quietened a bunch!!!
He has one set left.
My TR 224 quietened a bunch!!!
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Thread Starter
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Orlando
Re: Need direction and insight. Post cam install valvetrain noise Thanks, all. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> I don't know if it's just me but the valvetrain seemed to settle down just a tad today. Maybe I've just convinced myself! I appreciate it.
Re: Need direction and insight. Post cam install valvetrain noise I was having cold oil pressure problems so I replaced the pump a second time after I swapped cams thinking the o-ring was messed up - it wasnt and a 2nd new pump does the exact same thing (no more then 40psi oil pressure cold, who knows). Then I swapped heads with 918s and I cant believe how loud it is, my stock heads had SLP springs and were dead quiet.. I used my stock lifters with 79k on them - maybe a mistake but I plan on doing a short block soon so I didnt want waste my new lifters on this one plus the stockers never made any noise with the cam and old heads..
Anyhow, after dozens of dyno pulls plus I just drove the car 200 miles to steele today, ran 11.70 @ 119 and drove 200 miles back home and it still ticks exactly the same. Its really not that bad, just annoying. I just tell people its a header leak - I'm sure its a lifter since sometimes it stops with that valve open and its bleeding down quick, when it starts its really loud (happens maybe one out of 20 hot starts). I'm getting used to it, if it collapses completely (which I doubt it will) I'll swap them but for now I'll live with it - really hate to scrape them head gaskets again <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
<small>[ February 24, 2003, 12:42 AM: Message edited by: kp ]</small>
Anyhow, after dozens of dyno pulls plus I just drove the car 200 miles to steele today, ran 11.70 @ 119 and drove 200 miles back home and it still ticks exactly the same. Its really not that bad, just annoying. I just tell people its a header leak - I'm sure its a lifter since sometimes it stops with that valve open and its bleeding down quick, when it starts its really loud (happens maybe one out of 20 hot starts). I'm getting used to it, if it collapses completely (which I doubt it will) I'll swap them but for now I'll live with it - really hate to scrape them head gaskets again <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
<small>[ February 24, 2003, 12:42 AM: Message edited by: kp ]</small>