Hey guys after having a few problems I just got my new motor running this past week and I have a question. Well Since Ive had it running Ive only driven it twice and I have notice alot of rocker arm noise. I am told that this is normal with roller rockers but I just wanted to make sure. It is pretty annoying. I was beginning to think that maybe I wore out a lobe on my cam and that was why it was making the noise. I have proform roller rockers and despite the fact that the car is a little slower than expected(need some tuning) it runs fine. So is it just the fact that roller rockers make noise or what?

 

Did you get self aligning rockers or not?

 

They are self aligning, I originally purchased them for a set of vortecs but instead went with the 416 heads for budget reasons. I drove the car today and it doesnt seem like there is anything wrong. Its doesnt take off at idle like I thought it would, but once I hit like 1300 rpms or so its like a rocket, it runs fine without stumbling or anything. My oil pressure is also normal aswell.

 

416 heads are non-self aligning rocker arms.

 

Roller rocker clatter is common they are noticeably louder than the factory pieces of crapola ..BUUUUUUUt the big question is do you have them adjusted properly???How did you adjust them?
If the lash is loose on one of them the chatter will be noticably loud.
I have seen some roller rockers chatter so loud on several motors that the Knock sensor was triggered and timing was pulled by the ECM because it thought it was sensing knock from cylinder detonation... and they were adjusted correctly

 

I know 416's are non self aligning but I bought the SA's before I had the 416's when I intended to get vortecs. I opened up the pushrod guide holes to accomodate them aswell. I am pretty sure I adjusted them right, Ive done this about 10 times on various other sbc's. I did it with intake off and adjusted each valve individually. I was just wondering if the guy who told me that it was common was right and it sounds like you guys may agree. Hey Rob how was the houston meet. It sucks that I didnt get my car in good enough tune to make it I really wanted to meet up with you guys. Oh well I will hopefully make it in the winter or whenever the next meet is.

 

I also said that they make more noise than stock pieces due to the fact that you have more moving pieces rattling around.
I had problems with mine as well they are the gold Crane 1.6's I readjusted them with the motor running.
I left them all loose.
Started the car with the valve covers off with card board cut out to catch the oil.
Backed up each allen head to the point where it was sticking out the back of the locking nut.
then I hand tightened them real quick one by one all on one side by feel till i felt no valve play.
Killed the motor.
then tightened all them up on that one side.
then did the same thing on the other side.


The car show was good we all had a great time.Every one was super nice ! about 15 3rdg gens and 4 or 5 other cars .There was a whole bunch of food left because the show of people was less than expected due to the fact that it rained every where in Houston except for the park and the track.
Almost every one went to the track after wards.
I believe Scott had his car there and it was the very first time he even fired it up. since it was way out of tune he didnt race wich was a good idea. you should have came.
I might make it to the track this coming weekend.

 

The cheap aluminum rockers like those are noticeably noisier than stock rockers, or even better quality ones especially steel, such as Comp or Crower. They typically make just a whirring or buzzing kind of noise, shouldn't be like individual ticking except at very low speeds.

You'll just have to get used to it, to at least some degree; or get some better rockers.

 

Well thats cool Rob, I will defenetly make it to the next meet. And hopefully after I get some bugs worked out of this thing I will be a force to reckon with at the track.
Oh and I forgot to add that the noise is really only at low rpms once I accelerate a little you cant hear a thing but the exhaust. I figured it was because I got cheap roller rockers. The noise doesnt really bother me so much as worry me a little but you guys helped reassure me that its probably just normal. Thanks for your help guys.