Justin93

iTrader: (7)

So I finally got my 402 aluminum motor put back in my gto. I'm getting a lifter noise at idle and only on cold starts coming from the drivers side head. I'm running brand new Johnson 2110 SLR lifters. The noise slowly goes away once I run the motor for 5-10 min.

I verified the pushrod length with my checker several times before attempting to start the motor. Johnson preload specs are .035 +or- .010. I got the intake valves right on the money at .035 preload with a 7.375 push rod, and I have the exhaust preload at .037 preload with a 7.350
pushrod.

I primed the block with my drill pump prior to installing the motor in the car. It does appear that the pushrods are all squirting oil out as they should due to the rockers having oil puddled in them, however two lifter cups on the driver side are very easy to push in by hand which leads me to believe the check valves are bad in them. Cyl3 exhaust and cyl 5 intake are the two that are soft. Is this normal even after the motor has been primed and ran?

Johnson lifters told me they believe air may be trapped in them causing them not to pump up completely. They told me to put about 200 miles on the car and see if the air comes out. If not they'd send me a new set. My concern with that is possibly hurting the cam or lifter bores.

Currently still have the brad penn 30w break in oil still in the motor as I've only put 21 miles on it. I've got perfect oil pressure at idle about 35-38 psi. I appreciate any help or advice on this after sinking all this money into a new motor.

06blackGTO

iTrader: (20)

Hmmmm. I run the johnson link bar lifters with around .035 preload. Mine are not noisy at all at idle or cold start but they seem alittle noisy at around 1500 to 2500 rpms at cruising rpms, but I guess that could be clacking from the valves. Are you sure you don't have a exhaust manifold gasket leaking? figured I'd throw out the easy one first.

mchicia1

iTrader: (5)

Running the 2116, not loud at all. Sounds like factory except in the 1500-2500 range like stated above, but I think it's the valves slamming shut.

Can you post a vid of the noise?

Exidous

iTrader: (11)

What exhaust lobe are you running, what are your piston to wall clearances and what type of pistons are they(material)?

My 2110 themselves are quiet but I have a constant tick. Hot or cold it's the same and most likely the exhaust valve closing due to the LSL lobes I'm using.

Justin93

iTrader: (7)

Well turns out my tapping noise with the Johnson 2110 lifters was due to the 30wt Brad penn break in oil my engine builder recommended. Switched to Dino 10w30 with some zinc additive and boom she's quiet again. I feel so relieved, the 402 now lives.

thompson

iTrader: (4)

You can likely go back to a heavier oil now that the noise is gone. I have seen motors go a few hundred miles before finally burping all of the oil on lifters before.