I've never heard what it sounds like when you have incorrectly set your valve lash, so I am posting here.

Should it sound like someone banging on your block (or anything else as solid) with a hammer?

I would think some noise or a lighter noise like someone tapping..... but maybe I'm wrong. It isn't like someone WAILING on the car, but the noise is along the lines of dropping a hammer from 3 feet. Pretty solid.

Is this what a bad valve lash should sound like or did I overlook something up on my latest cam swap?

I have not localized which side it is on yet. I just put the new program in the PCM and fired it up. I heard the bang twice (in rhythm with the engine, so it is only one cylinder that is affected) and shut the car down.

Maybe I'm over-reacting and you can all tell me I'm a nervous idiot about it, but I didn't feel like risking it and deep-sixing a pushrod, lifter, or rocker.

 

loose lifter usually sound like a tick. A bang sounds like something in the bottom end. At least that is my experience.

 

Only if you over tightened to where the valves were hitting the pistons, should you hear a knock from valve adjustment. Serious damage can occur from that.
If you did not have the noise before the valve adjustement, you better check again on what you did. Several methods of adjusting the valves are on my Tech Page.

 

Hmmm....


I can vouch that NOTHING fell down inside the engine. I did the swap with the engine in the car. (okay, ONE thing came close... when we were taking the AFR hydra-rev springs out one of them richoceted and went straight into the oil pump hole but we got that right out!).

The only thing in the back of my head is what if one of the pushrods wasn't correctly seated. But that isn't too likely.

Any other ideas?