Yes the title says it all. I just started my 383 and have a ton of metal in it

After some looking I found a valve lash cap sitting in the pass head off the #2 Intake valve. This can't be good but I didn't see any wear on any of the valvetrain in that head

Should I just put it back on and go through all the valves again or is there anything else I need to look at closer...hopefully all this metal is just excessive break in material.

EDIT...I HAVE FOUND THE ROCKER AND RETAINER ARE NICKED...please head to the bottom and I have some pics up

 

flush oil through the motor..... change your oil 2-3 times this week otherwise you will have metal **** running through your oil galley's. The safest way to go would be to change the oil, run the car, drain the oil, pull the pan off, clean out the pan, and then put it back on with new oil. Then change it again next week!

 

Why are you using lash caps?

 

I changed the oil after the first 30 minute run in and then changed it again after the 3 mile drive I took. Both times it had a silver sheen and had metal flakes on the magnetic drain plug.

I'm using lash caps because my builder suggested I should use them. I guess to protect the valve tips?

 

Normally you'd only use a lash cap if your valvetrain wasn't adjustable, or you had some combinations of parts where maybe the rockers didn't clear the retainers, or if you were too lazy to get the right length pushrods to correct the valvetrain geometry.

 

Well, he supposedly did measure the pushrods and I bought a slightly longer set than stock and as far as I know there were no clearance problems.

Assuming they will be okay to use and everything is the correct length is it just matter of undoing the nut, putting it back on and doing my valve lash again?

 

Okay so I have found that the rocker has some small nicks in it and the retainer is scratched. I think its from the lash cap coming off and hitting the two but should I worry or can things be resued safely.
I don't see any other interference problems with any of the other valves...

 

get an adjustable pushrod and do it yourself, you probably dont hav ethe right pushrods.

 

I didn't think you were supposed to use guide plates on self aligning rockers?

 

Those aren't self aligning rocker arms.

 

You've got the wrong keepers for lash caps.

 

I trust the pushrods they are 7.400 in and he checked them with an adjustable pushrod checker. but who knows...

 

Huh??? wrong keepers, care to explain?

 

Maybe they'll work, I don't know. The keepers I've seen for use with lash caps are recessed around the stem for the cap to sit down in. Have a look at the cross-section here http://compcams.com/technical/Catalogs/106-07/311.pdf

 

Ok, well I guess I'll go pull a valve cover again and see if the lash cap is hitting anything other than the valve stem.

 

Lash caps are typically only used with titanium valves. The lash caps combined with too short of a pushrod can not only cause the rocker to hit the retainer, but also throw your valvetrain geometry way off. If you remove all the lash caps it may correct your clearance issue, but your geometry should still be checked.

 

I just got off the phone with the builder...He said he incorporated the lash cap with the pushrod so I'm sure me removing those will cause improper valve train geometry.
As far as I know I don't have any interference issues with the valvetrain. the only problems were on the #2 intake retainer and rocker, hopefully from the lash cap smaking them when it came off.

Oh, he also said he measured the lash cap to lock clearance so these locks should be okay.

 

Still doesn't explain why he's using caps in the first place though.

 

I'm guessing from the photos that there's clearence issues between the rocker and springs.Lash caps help with that issue sometimes,although it is just a quick fix for the problem of using too short of a valve stem to begin with.Assuming correct geometry,There's really not a problem with them,although they are by no means ideal.

 

Well I'm using the valves that came on the unmolested Trickflow heads so I'd think they are okay. Assuming he just suggested lash caps to protect the valves (hes more a solid roller guy) and my geometry is correct with no other interference issues I shouldn't worry right?

Hopefully the lash cap just came off because of the lifter not being pumped up...

 

Yes its old, but does anyone have anything else to add by any chance?