Random lifter rattle

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abodydartdude

abodydartdude

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I have a 69 Dodge swinger 340 with small cam, been rebuilt by previous owner with low miles. On start up sometimes the lifters rattle for just a short period of time and sometimes it goes until it warms up. But sometimes doesnt rattle at all. Never have had this issue on a motor before they either rattle or they dont. Also has 70 lbs oil pressure cold and 60 warmed up. Anyone have this problem?
 
Sound like a little bit of an oil pressure leak down after you shut it off.

Do you have mechanical rockers on a hydraulic flat tappet cam and lifters? If so you may need another 1/4 or 1/2 turn on the preload adjustment.

Also the oil filter using the angle adapter or not.

Like using these Carquest Brand Tall oil filters with the Red Silicone Anti-Drainback Valve.

20200730_100723.jpg


Even just putting a tall oil filter on it if you have the room as it gives you more oil reserve in the system ready to go.

Couple things to try, let us know how it goes.
 
I need to pull a valve cover off to check out valve train but under impression everything is stock except cam. I do have a angle adapter and I am running that exact filter car quest 85515. On the factory rocker arm assembly there isnt any adjustment is there ?
 
abodydartdude said:
I need to pull a valve cover off to check out valve train but under impression everything is stock except cam. I do have a angle adapter and I am running that exact filter car quest 85515. On the factory rocker arm assembly there isnt any adjustment is there ?
Click to expand...

If you remove the valve covers, go to the little bit of extra trouble and check lifter preload.
 
When you shut the engine off, a few valves will be open, and under spring pressure to close.Those lifters may leak down while stopped, and when re-started, take a few revolutions to make oil pressure, and refill the empty/noisy lifter.
This is not uncommon ,
 
lifter leak down happens in a matter of seconds according to Johnson lifter white paper. 6-10 seconds is all they stay 'pressurized" The tolerances are just not there to maintain oil pressure as it only needs to keep the valve 'up' for a fraction of a second at a time. The hydraulic fluid cannot escape in 1/40 of second so the valve gets full lift.
 
abodydartdude said:
Did pull drivers side valve cover, it is factory stamped steel rocker assembly. Not sure how you check lifter preload.
Click to expand...
If you had let's say a couple that were clicky and you could pinpoint them you would just take a feeler gauge '.025' and slip/shove it under the rocker at the valve cold fire it up and see if all the sudden they're quiet.
Others try holding a rag over the pushrod side while applying pressure.

Otherwise , next time it ticks at cold start...buy a push rod checker within the range you need, 7" ? turn it off and pull the rockers...check cyl 1,2,7,8 by crankingnthe motor over to closed/back side of the lobe and setting up the adjustable pushrod and the rockers...adjust to zero...then adjust/extend it another full turn, or about .035 or .040 lifter cup depression.
Do all 4 corner cylinders and get an average and compare to what you have ...or order.
 
MOPAROFFICIAL said:
If you had let's say a couple that were clicky and you could pinpoint them you would just take a feeler gauge '.025' and slip/shove it under the rocker at the valve cold fire it up and see if all the sudden they're quiet.
Others try holding a rag over the pushrod side while applying pressure.

Otherwise , next time it ticks at cold start...buy a push rod checker within the range you need, 7" ? turn it off and pull the rockers...check cyl 1,2,7,8 by crankingnthe motor over to closed/back side of the lobe and setting up the adjustable pushrod and the rockers...adjust to zero...then adjust/extend it another full turn, or about .035 or .040 lifter cup depression.
Do all 4 corner cylinders and get an average and compare to what you have ...or order.
Click to expand...
It is really random whether it rattles or not. Started it up yesterday after having sit a week to move it and no rattle. 4 hrs later restarted to move back and rattled until I shut it off. Sometimes rattles 5 seconds on startup and sometimes rattles till it warms up. Ive had lifters rattle before on other cars just not random like this, its a mystery
 
I do believe I figured it out. Went out this morning got my breaker bar and turned the motor and noticed that the intake valve rocker on #3 was really loose could push the rocker and collapse the push rod. So fired up the motor and let it warm up a few minutes, rattled the whole time. Took the valve cover right back off and that lifter hadnt pumped all the way up. All the others were good. Thanks for everyones help.
 
abodydartdude said:
I do believe I figured it out. Went out this morning got my breaker bar and turned the motor and noticed that the intake valve rocker on #3 was really loose could push the rocker and collapse the push rod. So fired up the motor and let it warm up a few minutes, rattled the whole time. Took the valve cover right back off and that lifter hadnt pumped all the way up. All the others were good. Thanks for everyones help.
Click to expand...

If you have early stock heads, it's possible to pull the lifter out without removing the manifold.
Then take the lifter apart, clean thoroughly, then replace it, - often works.
I've done it many times if you can get the lifter out of its bore.
There is often a "shellac" built-up on the untravelled lower lifter body that can be problematic on older/experienced engines.
 
inertia said:
If you have early stock heads, it's possible to pull the lifter out without removing the manifold.
Then take the lifter apart, clean thoroughly, then replace it, - often works.
I've done it many times if you can get the lifter out of its bore.
There is often a "shellac" built-up on the untravelled lower lifter body that can be problematic on older/experienced engines.
Click to expand...
Motor is new and clean, less then 5000 mi. must have just been a bad lifter, go figure
 
Its junk in the check valve, EZ to clean now you know which one it is. Pop snap ring and lay it out. Usually there is glitter collected in the bottom as that oil has no where to go.
 
abodydartdude said:
Motor is new and clean, less then 5000 mi. must have just been a bad lifter, go figure
Click to expand...
It should just slide right out, you may have to loosen an intake bolt to get clearance, lay a work-cloth in the valley to avoid blemishing the lifter.
I use a thin piece of welding rod and/or magnet to fish the lifter out/in.
Clean, re-assemble .
Good luck, you should be fine !
 
He said that the sound can be random. Truth is, if he just bought the car, he really doesn't know what is in there. Or, cam bearing off? Went through something similar to this with my '69 340 Dart that I bought last year. I tore the motor down over it, ya never know. Clattering lifters are not that common, not that remember.

Hope that you have better luck.
 
Last time a seller told me that.....

I got the car home drove it around a few weeks and noticed a "lifter rattle"......
I did everything everyone has recommended, changed the oil, inspected it...

Sometimes it would do it, sometimes it wasnt as noticeable...but when warmed up it never went away.

Disgusted, I built a 360.

Tore the "fully rebuilt, low mile" 318 down, and everything was perfect, except for the timing chain and oil slinger disc....some chevy machine shop genius put the oil slinger disc on backwards....

Good luck
 
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