I had posted previously about a certain "clicking" that was coming from the motor. I had thought it was an exhuast leak, but I had that checked out and everything welded tight.

So, I decided to check on the valvetrain. The sound is predominantly on the drivers side. I took off the valve cover and rockers and found this:






So, can this valve stem make some "clicking" sounds? What could cause this? Is the valve done for (I'm sure it is). Thanks!!

 

The rocker arm is probably bad too since it contacts the tip of the valve.

 

What kind of rockers?

 

Stock rockers. Springs are Patriot Golds.

 

Well, I found the real reason for the ticking:

Here's the pictures of the damaged lifter and the cam lobe:





Any thoughts on what would cause this? Is the cam ruined?

 

I had the Patriot Golds on my SS with a ms3 cam, and it did the same thing after 10k

 

wow! I wonder how common this is.

 

YIKES!! Not gonna use those springs!! And your question about the cam it just depends how bad it is they might be able to polish it but I wouldn't count on it that sucks ***

 

Finally got around to pulling the cam. One lobe is severely damaged, with two other that are on their way out. So, looks like I'm getting a new cam.

Here are the pictures:

 

That looks like valve / lifter float, specifically, the valve spring not controlling the movement of the valve, rocker arm, pushrod and ultimately the lifter.

 

good job saving that built shortblock and heads. you made out OK IMHO.

was that the only lifter that turned or did all the damaged valves correspond with turned lifters?

 

Ive had that happen before! No fun. In my case, the cam was ground with a ridged finish that cut through the oil film and compromised the case hardening on the lifter rollers. I replaced the 4 lifters but left the cam in while I ported my heads and ordered a new cam. About 2 months / 5K later, i had to pull the heads as the other lifters were coming apart.

Bad2000, looks like youve got a lot to replace, my man. Glad you caught it before it got any worse.

 

None of the lifters actually turned in the trays. They remained in the correct position. I've sent the cam and lifters to Comp Cams for their evaluation and opinion.

As for catching it, I guess I am lucky, but it still sucks! This cam only had about 12,000 miles on it. Try explaining to your wife why you need more parts, again!!

Alchemist: As far as valve float, I find it hard to imagine that happening. I'm using Patriot Gold Springs that were set-up by Erik Koenig at HKE, plus I rarely have taken the motor past 6,000 rpm. It has never fallen off of power through the RPM range like valve float would indicate. Plus, Erik Koenig and Geoff at EPS didn't think it was valve float. So, who really knows what caused this. I did notice that many of the lifters have the "chromemoly" worn off, with a ridge felt by my fingernail. So, maybe bad lifters?

 

was the wipe ok or was the rocker to close to the edge where it chipped it. the rocker falling into chip would then add "load" to the lifter/cam as it would have to pop back to the valve's flat surface. does that make sense?

 

It makes sense, however, the chipped valve stem was the Intake, #1 cylinder. The terrible lifter was Intake, #5 cylinder. The intake lobe on #1 cylinder was actually quite normal. Intake #5 cylinder, not so much......

 

The reason I say valve float is because of the way the valve tips look beat up. Maybe it's not, but I would have the springs tested just to make sure they haven't softened up at all.

 

I know it kinda sucks you have to go back in the thing but youre super lucky you didnt drop a valve or send a broken lifter through the motor. Good luck on the new build

 

Yep, already thought of that! The springs are at HKE being checked right now!

 

Yeah, it's all good. Ordered my new cam from Geoff at EPS yesterday. Went slightly bigger: 226/234 on a 113+2. This is still a daily driver.

 

so how is this prevented? i am running the same spring with a cam and stock rockers too.