Newly built engine with only about 1000 miles on it;

I've been hearing a ticking sound. I don't think noise is present right away on a cold start but will appear well before fully warmed up. Consistent volume, speed follows RPMs.

Today I was setting lifter preload with the engine running to see if it had anything to do with the tick. I was setting preload to 1/2 turn after zero lash. When I got to the final exhaust valve on the first side I noticed that if I tried to go past 1/4 turn preload, idle would start to drop--signifying the valve floating open. I was able to set all the other lifters to 1/2 a turn with no problem.

Is this a symptom of a collapsed lifter? Lifters were brand new.

Thanks.

 

You cant really judge anything by the lash when running. The lifters will normally hold the valves open a bit when you turn them past their zero lash setting due to the plunger being pumped up. Normally there is about 1-1/2 turns of travel in the plunger until it bottoms out. How was the lash set? Who makes the lifters?

Also some aftermarket lifters require a full turn of lash to work properly. This is especially true of the "anti pump up" variety. These have no plunger return springs in them like a stock lifter, so they work entirely on hydraulic pressure. If you have low oil pressure or too little lash they tick like hell. You should check with the mfg. to see what lash is required.

 

You were correct. I just had to wait for the lifter to bleed off after tightening and idle would return to normal. I don't think the ticking has anything to do with the lifters.

Thanks!