Are you sure it is not an exhaust leak. I had a hotcam put in and thought I had a lifter problem or loose rockers. Ended up being a header leak, I could not believe it made a clacking soud but sure enough when I replaced the gaskets the noise went away.

 

How loud is the clack. When I first installed my heads / cam / roller rockers, I had a rocker come loose (think I forgot to tighten down the retaining hex screw on that one). It drove fine for a while, but the first time I really got into the rpms, it loosened up and I would definatly describe it as the loudest clack I've ever heard, lol.

Definatly check the easy stuff first before you flip too much about a spun bearing.

How did you adjust the rockers? Engine on or engine off? If you did it engine on then you will know what a loose rocker clack sounds like.

Good luck.

 

Yeah it happens. I had one back out on me even though I tightened it down. I just went back and tightened it with engine running then shut it off and tightened the lock down real tight.

Clacks are usually a loose rocker arm.

 

Did you not see the list of items I had to replace when I spun a rod bearing?

 

could be lifter clack because of the extra spring pressure, whats the oil pressure look like? does it fluctuate really bad or drop when you hammer it? I would readjust your rockers and pray..

 

I saw all the parts you replaced, I just thought that if i didn't drive it too much, it would just be bearing problems and I can pull the engine and replace the bearings and fix the crank without having to rebuild the engine. I checked the rockers today, and they are all on, but I didn't try readjusting them because of time. I was, however, able to spin two pushrods with my fingers on the #6 cylinder, and it was NOT at TDC. The clack sounds like its coming from the intake area. I'll take a better look at it this weekend. The clack follows the RPM's of the engine. My oil pressure is fine, and it idles pretty normal. Temperatures haven been pretty normal as well. When the oil pressure went low, i limped home the whole way, not going past 1500 rpms, so i'm sure i didn't lose all oil pressure, there was a constant 20-25 psi in there.

 

Is the clack at engine speed or 1/2 engine speed?

1/2 engine speed would be valvetrain...

Read this:
http://paradox.shacknet.nu/dave88lx/halfspeed.jpg

 

I'm not quite sure what half engine speed is, but there really isn't much sound at idle. It starts clacking more as i rev the engine higher and hold it there. I'm starting to think that maybe i shouldn't be able to spin the pushrod, right? Maybe a lifter collapsed?

 

Don't try to spin pushrods unless you are actually setting the lash. You cannot accurately tell by spinning them later. The lifters bleed down and you get a false reading.

 

Didja read what I posted? It explains what "half engine speed" is....

 

Yes, i read it, but didn't quite understand it.

 

I got that out of my ford book, should work on this as well. Timing light on #1 plug wire (If you can get to the damn thing! )

If the noise is in conjunction with the light, then it's 1/2 speed.

 

Can I pull the valve covers and start the car to see if maybe a lifter collapsed? I mean, can i just look at the rockers and see if they are fully on? Maybe at idle its not as noticable and that is why it sounds when the rpms go up?

 

Update:
I ran a magnet inside the bottle of oil that i drained out of the engine, and the only thing i see is a film on top of the magnet, but i don't see anything else. It just forms a film over the magnet. It doesn't matter if i put it all the way to the bottom of the bottle, or just float it at the top, it still has the film. I rubbed it b/w my finger tips, and i can't feel anything either. Good sign?

 

withthe cylender at top dead center you can lift the nose of the rocker (the part over the valve ) and it it lifts up more than the thickness of a hair then it is loose, you can also feel if a lifter is weak this way.