Sbc 350 lifter tick help

[Ryanbrown36]

I recently swapped a mildly built 355 into my truck and now has a lifter tick. I’ve put about 4000km on the motor and it was broken in before I bought it, and recently hearing a lifter tick, still getting oil through the rockers and they all appear to be opening the same amount. Was told it has comp cams heavy duty roller rockers, lifters and valve springs, and has a comp cams magnum camshaft. Did my valve lash again, checked manifolds, exhaust leaks but don’t know what to try next, added some atf to the oil a few days ago but the noise is still there. Still feels fast and solid but don’t really want to wipe out a cam lobe. Should I just buy new lifters and replace them. And if so any recommendations on lifters, thanks

 

[legopnuematic]

Mechanical fuel pump?

I had one on my 76 that the pivot pin for the arm was free to move around and it rattled, sounded a lot like a lifter ticking. Being it's can driven, it will also run at 1/2 speed like the lifters.

 

[Ryanbrown36]

Mechanical fuel pump?

I had one on my 76 that the pivot pin for the arm was free to move around and it rattled, sounded a lot like a lifter ticking. Being it's can driven, it will also run at 1/2 speed like the lifters.

I thought that but wasn’t sure how to check, the fuel pump is new with the swap but doesn’t mean it’s not bad, should I just try replacing it?

 

[legopnuematic]

Use a long screwdriver or a piece of hose as a stethoscope and with the engine running stick one end on the pump and the other on your ear and listen.

The one I had fail like that wasn't that old, maybe a year or two old. Still pumped fine. Removed it and it fell apart.

 

[Ricko1966]

Are all your pushrids rotating while the engine runs?

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I recently swapped a mildly built 355 into my truck and now has a lifter tick. I’ve put about 4000km on the motor and it was broken in before I bought it, and recently hearing a lifter tick, still getting oil through the rockers and they all appear to be opening the same amount. Was told it has comp cams heavy duty roller rockers, lifters and valve springs, and has a comp cams magnum camshaft. Did my valve lash again, checked manifolds, exhaust leaks but don’t know what to try next, added some atf to the oil a few days ago but the noise is still there. Still feels fast and solid but don’t really want to wipe out a cam lobe. Should I just buy new lifters and replace them. And if so any recommendations on lifters, thanks

Check the fuel pump for sure. I had a couple that sounded like a lifter. Parts store pumps are junk. They took out my cam lobe eventually.

You can't just swap lifters, cam and lifters are a mated package. If you want to chance it and find the lifter that's the culprit you can try replacing the one and hope they mate. But that decision is on you.

 

[Ryanbrown36]

Use a long screwdriver or a piece of hose as a stethoscope and with the engine running stick one end on the pump and the other on your ear and listen.

The one I had fail like that wasn't that old, maybe a year or two old. Still pumped fine. Removed it and it fell apart.

Okay hopefully that’s it, will check that tomorrow, thanks

 

[Ryanbrown36]

Are all your pushrids rotating while the engine runs?

Yes they all rotate

 

[Ryanbrown36]

Check the fuel pump for sure. I had a couple that sounded like a lifter. Parts store pumps are junk. They took out my cam lobe eventually.

You can't just swap lifters, cam and lifters are a mated package. If you want to chance it and find the lifter that's the culprit you can try replacing the one and hope they mate. But that decision is on you.

Okay, I didn’t build the motor myself so not too knowledgeable about valve train stuff so that makes sense, will do some more research so I understand more. Hopefully it’s the fuel pump

 

[Ricko1966]

Using a new lifter on a used cam is not necessarily a deal breaker, lifters used to get warrantied out,without tearing down the engine. Look at the lifter make sure it still has a crown,if it's flat or dished, I don't think you will be okay. With the engine running you can push on the rockers with the heal of your hand to identify the bad lifter.. Because all the push rods are rotating I think you'll get away with a lifter swap.Make darn sure it's not a plug wire,plug boot,exhaust flapper,first though. Treat your new lifter like it was a new cam and lifter,do a break in and verify that the pushrod is spinning with the engine running.Of course in a perfect world you'd change the cam and lifters,but real world if you have to replace one or two just do the verifications I told you.

 

[ohyeahjay]

This is what my lifter tick was lol, engine was new (5000 miles maybe) but sat for awhile. One lifter was gone, lobe on the cam was gone and during tear down one lifter had come apart. If its a flat tappet cam you should be adding the zinc additive as well.

 

[Ryanbrown36]

This is what my lifter tick was lol, engine was new (5000 miles maybe) but sat for awhile. One lifter was gone, lobe on the cam was gone and during tear down one lifter had come apart. If its a flat tappet cam you should be adding the zinc additive as well.

Yes really hoping that doesn’t happen, it’s hydraulic but have been using Lucas conventional 10w30

 

[Grit dog]

It’s been a while, but I recall it not being too difficult to hear and pinpoint a loud lifter. I’m not an engine expert or rebuilder but I used to use an old valve cover with the top cut out. Then can run the engine with no mess and adjust the valves by ear. Maybe not the right way but it works.
That said I’d want to be pretty confident it wasn’t the fuel pump or a tiny exhaust leak/tick before going thru the effort.

 

[squaredeal91]

Valve adjustment?

 

[Ryanbrown36]

It’s been a while, but I recall it not being too difficult to hear and pinpoint a loud lifter. I’m not an engine expert or rebuilder but I used to use an old valve cover with the top cut out. Then can run the engine with no mess and adjust the valves by ear. Maybe not the right way but it works.
That said I’d want to be pretty confident it wasn’t the fuel pump or a tiny exhaust leak/tick before going thru the effort.

It sounds to me like #7 and I’m pretty confident it’s coming from there after hearing it run with it off but will check the little things before ripping it apart