350 clacking

[TJ1978]

Rebuilt SBC 350 flat tappet. Just did the first oil change after the initial 300 miles. When I got home I heard this nonconsistent clacking sound on the driver side... seems to come and go. Might be hard to hear but you can hear it come and go.

I used an old rubber hose as a stethoscope it seems to be by the front driver side valve cover are. But with the engine noise and fans, it's a best guess.

Any ideas? It didn't make this sound (that I noticed) prior to oil change. And yes I used Lucas 10w-30 High zinc oil and new wix filter.

You may have to hold you phone up to your ear to hear it if using your phone .

 

[cheavyk10]

Hydraulic Flat Tappet or no? Might just have to check that valve lash.
The video sounds like it's an exhaust leak at the header though

 

[TJ1978]

I'll tighten down the exhaust, then pull the valve cover and fire it up.
Just flat tappet

 

[TJ1978]

Wasn't exhaust... that oil was flinging everywhere., as expected. so it's still clacking and hard to pinpoint, but it is the driver side.

 

[Bent77]

Did you put synthetic in it?

 

[TJ1978]

Did you put synthetic in it?

Lucas 10w-30 high zinc
Oil pressure is good and read to the full level on the dipstick.

Now oil is all over from running with no valve cover... so I need to buy more oil anyway. Possibly this Lucas is just louder? I've been reading that even within weights of oil they can fluctuate in thickness

Should I give each rocker a 1/4 turn or?

 

[Bent77]

Was it clacking before the oil change? Don’t mess with the valve settings if it was right before

 

[cheavyk10]

I've been running that same Lucas oil in my 350 for 12,000 miles with no problems.
Also looking at your engine specs those appear to be hydraulic flat tappet lifters.

 

[TJ1978]

Was it clacking before the oil change? Don’t mess with the valve settings if it was right before

No clacking before oil change

 

[Bent77]

No clacking before oil change

Oil is probably too thin for your lifters. They’re possibly tired

 

[cheavyk10]

Lifters failing after 300 miles?
I heard there's been some subpar lifters out there for a while

 

[TJ1978]

Oil is probably too thin for your lifters. They’re possibly tired

The engine is freshish rebuild only 300 miles on build... build spec posted above

 

[TJ1978]

Lifters failing after 300 miles?
I heard there's been some subpar lifters out there for a while

It's entirely possible. I've seen countless comments and even uncle Tony videos highlighting this problem

10w-40 high zinc or 20w-50 high zinc?

 

[cheavyk10]

Your rebuild come with a warranty?

 

[TJ1978]

Your rebuild come with a warranty?

He no longer replies to anything. Phone number is changed and no replies to emails...but it's past warranty anyway.

This is the builder

https://m.youtube.com/c/Myvintageiron7512

 

[Bent77]

Hmm. Remember when I asked you on the phone if they were new lifters? Hope not

Run the valves, change the oil. Drive it

 

[TJ1978]

@Wes Harden text me through setting the rockers, hopefully i didn't fug it up. I'll just add oil since it's at the fill mark with the rest all over my driveway, as it seems to miss all the cardboard I put down everywhere...

I already ordered Lucas 10w-30 high zinc if it's still clacking I'll try another high zinc and more dense oil.

Hopefully it's set right.

Was fresh cardboard too, now not so much

 

[Bent77]

If not you can change it to a solid roller since you want to use those feeler gages so badly

Then we can discuss oil restrictors

 

[TJ1978]

Seems ok?
Idle is a little weird maybe all the oil spilled into the exhaust

 

[Bent77]

Doesn’t sound too bad. How much did the idle RPM change? Where’s your vacuum gage?