Hey guys,

I have the comp cams 1.6 NSA roller rockers with the chromemoly pushrods, guideplates, and other stuff. The valve adjustment is one part of my motor build that I did not do myself becuase I was a little unsure of it, so I took it to a local mechanic.
Anyways, the car seems to run fine, but the rockers definitely make some noise. You can hear them chattering up and down if you listen near the valve covers, and I can even hear them slightly at certain rpms while driving. My mechanic said that they are adjusted properly, and that noise is normal and is due to the new steel rocker arms. I was just wondering if this little chatter noise is normal for those rockers, or is he wrong, or did they come out of adjustment, its not real loud at all though. Any advice is appreciated..

 

Well, RRs make some noise, however the non-self aligned ones should be a tad bit quieter than the SA ones. If you are hearing clatter from inside the car, I'd guess that you might need some adjusting. One never knows when it comes to having someone else adjust the valves.

If you are getting obvious clatter from both covers, I'd pull the driver's side (easier) and do a little adjusting while the engine is running to see if you can quiet them down---keeping in mind that you don't want to go more than one full turn past 0 when using OEM lifters. 1/2 turn is usually sufficient, however you might get a bit more quietness with just a little more. A good quality 10w40 dino oil might also make them a bit more quieter too, but my quess is (whenever someone says "I had my local mechanic adjust my valves" that you really need to know just what and how they did it.

So either use the site for engine off adjusting or do some adjusting with the motor running and see if it makes a difference---again, RRs do make noise, but you should only hear them with the hood up.

You might also pick up a cheap ($10-$15) stethoscope and give a listen to the valve covers once in awhile to make sure thingts are staying put.

Having said this about that---I assume that you have appropriate springs with those RRs. JMHO

 

Holy crap. One full turn is A LOT. The correct preload is 1/2 turn for 3/8" studs, and 3/8 turn for 7/16" studs with stock lifters.

Mine were a little louder than stock but just barely, and at first I could BARELY hear them at certain RPM's when driving, but it seems to have gone away.

Dan

 

Mine were quiet as a mouse, my friends sounded like a diesel engine. We did our engines at the same time, using the same parts as you. He had to send his back under warranty, dont know how they turned out.

 

They will make some noise. I would bet that the mechanic did it right.

Is it a very slight almost "ticking" noise you can barely hear? If you have headers you'll notice the sound a little more too ... This is normal. It should be VERY slight though. You will notice that the engine sounds different.

It should not sound like a "Clacking" noise though. Clacking sounds indicate that there is not enough preload. And a clacking rocker arm is pretty loud. Not something you should have to strain to hear. And it will get worse and worse the higher the RPM's go. A clacking rocker arm just sounds "bad" ... Like something should break.

I think, from what you posted, that what you are hearing is normal.

 

Which guide plates do you have on there? Anything other then the GM performance parts GP's for the LT1's or adjustable GP's are the wrong ones and with make things noisy in there, along with premature wear.

Ken R.

 

I have the GM guideplates that everyone on here suggests to use, I believe they were actually made for the V6 engine. Yes, I do have Pacesetter LT headers and a full exhaust, so that could be bringing out the noise a little bit more. No, the noise does not get louder at all when I go up in RPM's, I dont think that I hear it anymore actually. The only time I really hear it is in like
3rd gear while cruising at maybe 35 MPH and around 1,800 rpm's. I'm thinking that this is pretty nornal given what you guys said and what I have heard.

 

I can hear my Comp Pro Magnum NSAs (GM guideplates).

 

I can definitely hear mine while driving if I have the radio off. It's not THAT loud, but it does make me wonder if they need some adjusting...

 

BTW: I believe that the factory preload is one full turn---yes it might be overkill, but manufacturers generally build in some margin for error. Most do around 1/2 turn--- but bear in mind that when adjusting for 0 lash that not everyone finds 0 at the same place when using the "spin the rod method."JMHO

 

Herd of crickets

 

Ehh, the GM plates are overrated ... Ive seen my share of GM Guide Plates that didnt fit and actually were shaved down by the pushrod until the owner had to pull them out and grind them some so they would work.

Isky Adjustables > GM Plates