tracking a ticking sound

[grumpyvette]

Hi All,
I recently built a Gen V 454 to put in my full size blazer (94). It was my first build but I was pretty darn careful with as many things as I knew about.
The problem I am having is that under load... at about 2k RPM... I hear this fairly loud ticking sound. It is pretty annoying. It seems mostly to be coming from the top end but that is not entirely clear.
I've adjusted the valves numerous times now. The cam is not flat. I used a Crane cam/lifters/pushrods/roller rockers.
It is a hydraulic flat tappet (not roller) setup.
KB pistons and stock heads.
I was very careful to gap the rings as recommended by KB.
Pretty sure it is not exhaust and it is not a spark leak anywhere.
Any ideas on anything??? Anything welcome.

as always its isolate and carefully test,don,t assume you know whats causing the noise, or problem like most guys do, and try to prove it, look at the facts!as you find them,and let them lead you to the cause, don,t ever assume a new part can,t be defective or that you could not have installed it incorrectly, WE ALL SCREW UP OCCASIONALLY!. THINK THINGS THRU,BE OBSERVANT! Id suggest you pull the valve covers, and carefully inspecting the rockers and valve train components for indications of excessive wear,and look at the valve springs and check for coil bind , and rocker to rocker stud clearance,and rocker to jam nut clearance, rocker to retainer clearance,especially if the cam you installed has over .480 lift and your still using the stock valve springs,and then place your hand on each rocker as the engine idles and listen for changes in the sound and feel the rocker movement, a defective or improperly installed rocker arm,or one binding on the jam nut can and will make that sound and exhaust rockers are more prone to fail, if you adjusted the rockers without having the engine idle try it the old way at idle ,yeah, I know,what you heard, try it any way.
you might also find that pulling one spark plug wire off the distributor cap at a time and replacing it then moving to the next and removing that one, etc. etc. will help you locate the cylinder causing the ticking sound, by the change in sound when that cylinder does not fire.
you might also do a compression test and check your ignition timing curve, look for vacuum leaks and post clear detailed pictures of each spark plug labeled as to the cylinder as its condition can tell you a great deal about the combustion in that cylinder

BE aware you need to verify rocker adjustment lock nut to rocker slot clearance and yes it varies even with the same manufacturers different rocker designs

at times lash caps or longer push rods will be needed to change the valve train geometry to gain rocker clearance or get the proper geometry

AND YES CAM LOBES AND LIFTERS FAIL..even ROLLER LIFTERS

actually reading all the way thru these threads and links may help

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-engine-noise-valve-train-or-rod-knock.13846/

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=6237&p=19552#p19552

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=196

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=4957

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=181

IF your going too tear it down to inspect the internals, I wish I was there to measure accurately and see the components clearly, a ticking noise is almost always the result of a clearance issue at some level,look closely at the valve train components bearing clearances and connecting rods.
I'm curious what is the piston to bore side clearance, where on the piston in relation to the pin, bore axis and piston top, did you measure it and how did you measure it? and whats your ring gap set at?
Id also like to know bearing clearances rod side clearances, thrust bearing clearances, and look for loose flexplate to crank or connecting rod to oil pan contact marks, or dip stick to connecting rod marks, obviously somethings touching


linked info that might be useful
viewtopic.php?f=53&t=4630&p=12416#p12416

viewtopic.php?f=51&t=125

viewtopic.php?f=51&t=976

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/locating-the-source-of-that-noise.15694/

viewtopic.php?f=53&t=852

viewtopic.php?f=53&t=247

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=689&p=7416&hilit=busted+rocker+stud#p7416

you should be able to isolate the source of the noise thru testing and once located you can determine whats required to correct the condition causing it, the links posted earlier and below should help.(of course they only work if you read thru them,and ask questions if you have any)
I wish you were located locally, as things like this are usually far easier to find and diagnose with some experience and a few tools and access to a lift.

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=2187

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=6237&p=32472&hilit=tracking+valve+train+noise#p32472

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=7716&p=29797&hilit=broken+spring#p29797

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=6669&p=21699&hilit=tracking+valve+train+noise#p21699

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=181

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=196

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=399

viewtopic.php?f=51&t=2919