Solid Lifter Question

[secondchancebird]

Hey all,

I asked a question about valve clearance not too long ago, and no one replied. I'm going to rephrase my question and I hope several guys can chime in with some feedback....

In a solid lifter motor, with valve clearance set at .012-.014, should the motor constantly tick? It almost sounds like a hydraulic motor with several bad lifters. With the clearance set at .016, it sounds like a diesel....is this normal??? I've read several forums on here in which guys have no ticking after warmup with a solid lifter motor....what is wrong with mine then, if anything??

Thanks for your help,

Erik

 

[rbohm]

8) some solid lifter engines will still tick audibly when the lash is set with in spec. try tightening up the lash another .001" and see if that stops the noise when warmed up.

 

[drag-200stang]

Solid lifters will never be quiet like hydraulic but they shouldn't be terribly noisy either. Check your oil supply to your valve stem tips. Lack of a good oil supply will make them noisier. Oil cushions the tick. There is a sticky about checking your rocker arm assembly.

 

[MustangSix]

There should be a light "ticking" noise on a solid lifter engine, but not a loud clacking sound. Loud valvetrain noises could indicate worn tappets, pushrods, or rockers.

 

[secondchancebird]

This info helps alot guys; thanks!! I was looking up some definitions of things, to make sure we were talking about the same thing, and I ran across a definition of "tappet valves." It said tappets are basically buckets with springs in them that fit over the top of valves to retain oil and cushion the tick. Are 144's supposed to have these?? Last I looked, I don't have tappets...the end of the rocker arm hits directly on top of the valve stem. Is that correct/normal?? If I'm supposed to have tappets on my valve stems, where do I get them?

Thanks!!

 

[MustangSix]

Tappets are synonymous with lifters.