I have been noticing this "problem" (if in fact it is a problem) for some time now. When the engine is above 2500-3000 RPM I can hear some noises in my valvetrain (I assume thats where it's coming from). It is not the same sound I got when the timing was way to advanced (pinging?) and I don't seem to loose any power like I did when the timing was to advanced.

The power seems to be all there, I'm just wondering about the noise? It's a clicking sound, sometimes it has a constant pattern, sometimes it's just kind random sounding. Should I be worried about something? The rockers (1.6 rollers), springs, lifters (hydralic) pushrods and cam are all new as of a 1 1/2 years ago or so, and the rockers were adjusted by a performance shop to correct my inaccurate rocker adjustment after the cam swap.

I don't know if I'll be keeping the car after I graduate (in 3 months) so I don't want to put any more money into the car that I don't have to. Should I have the valvetrain looked at? Or am I just getting worked up all over nothing?

I don't beat on the car at all, I drive it quite mildly (gas costs so much), I rarely ever get over 3000, and I have not raced (on a track or on the street) since after the cam/valve train swap. Are these noises normal?


Thanks!

 

Have any details on the valve train? Specifically, cam profile, valve springs, and rockers used.

 

Camshaft is a melling MTC-1

http://www.melling.com/production1.htm (first on the chart), hydralic lifters were included with the cam.

Rockers are Compcams Magnum 1.6 roller rockers, and matching springs (rated for .500 lift I believe).

 

How much preload did the shop put on the lifters?

 

I'm really not sure.

 

As you may (or may not know), full roller rockers make more noise than the stock stamped rockers. Without actually hearing the engine, what you hear MAY be perfectly normal.

I would start by adjusting your valves yourself and see if that reduces the noise.