The noise was there before I swapped cams last year as I swapped to LS7lifters at the same time, and went from the dual valve springs to the beehives. The noise was worse, thought it was a lifter and and swapped out the LS7s back to new stockers, with no difference.
So I just beared the noise till now, so I can rule out the lifters there, but yes..that was my first thought.
As mentioned before, my truck got a little more valve train noise too when going from dual springs to beehives as that was the only change, but its still nothing like the TA's noise.

 

Ok guys, heres an update:

I just fired it up for the first time since I put the scorpions on, I only had it running for like 1 minute due to my ****ing neighbours so it didnt reach operating temp. but, IT WAS QUIET! I even had the hood open.. That felt soooo good. Im gonna take it out on the road here soon and we will see.

 

Awesome, good to hear! my scorpions are very quiet too. you can only hear them at around 3k RPM, but i have to have both windows down, and radio off. anything higher than that the exhaust drones out.

 

Gonna be getting some Scorpions very soon.

 

I recently came across two things: One, I believe was on GoFastNews' site and the post said that Crane issued a bulletin a couple of years back saying that increasing the lifter preload is recommended to quiet down the valve train. If I recall correctly, 1 full turn was the recommendation. Has anyone come across that bulletin from Crane?

The other one was from TPIS that said they found improved power when setting preload at 1 full turn AND MORE! From memory, up to TWO FULL TURNS were used with increasingly better results as they tightened the preload.

I haven't tried either, yet.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

 

Good deal. I haven't even begun on fixing my worn valve guide, at least I hope thats the issue.

Jake, I have not seen anyone recommending 1-2 full turns preload. If you have 7/16" studs that would surely be too much. Not sure what the Crane info is referring to, would need more info, but I have not noticed anyone saying to preload that much. May also depend on the lifters being used, I know some require hardly any preload.
I know on mine I tried 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, and 7/8 preload and when I got to 7/8 it started idling pretty rough so I'm sure that would be too much. And it made no difference in the noise, but as noted above, mine seems to be from a possible worn valve guide.

 

I only saw the Crane reference a few days ago while I was on the forum I listed. Conversation came up about valvetrain noise and one of the responders posted it.

TPIS' comments were in a long article; could be that it's on their site. If not, you could call them and someone could probably point you in the right direction if you want to read it.

They surprised me too, because I'm usually a half-turn guy on hydraulics.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

 

For all you guys considering ditching your pro-mags for scorpions be forewarned that I almost lost a new set of ported heads with scorpion SA rockers. Brand new beehive springs and 1000$ worth of head work. They were on the car for several weeks driven daily then I got on it real hard and one of them busted and took out the stud, bent the pushrod and did some damage to the head. Luckily it was only cosmetic. The next day I installed new ARP 7/16 studs, guideplates, hardened pushrods, and pro-mags. Cheap and quiet maybe but not worth fragging a whole motor over a little noise at idle. Don't say I didn't warn you.

 

That's nuts and goes against the old adage that "looser is faster" on hydraulics.

Lifters like Comp R's don't even have 2 turns of preload to give. You would surely break stuff doing that with those lifters (and maybe lots of others). I would be very careful going crazy on preload.

Sorry, but I don't buy the more preload=more power at all. I would think valve float would be an issue, too.

 

I'd love to get something quieter on my car too. The Pro Mags really do make a lot of noise. For a long time on my commute to work, they were doing construction and had some concrete dividers set up, VERY close the lane.. I could hear my rockers slightly from the echoed sound. The story about the Scorpion ones breaking is scary though...

 

Shoebox, don't kill the messenger.

I'm not advocating this, only relaying what I've read for the benefit of others; sharing differing views.

Two well respected sources say this, not me. I'm just passing it along for others to either accept, reject or investigate further. That's all.

I realize it goes against the grain, but their results are, at least, worth investigating before being dismissed out of hand.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

 

Well one full turn on 7/16" studs an stock lifters will not work, when the lifters are fully pumped up the valve will not close with beehive springs at idle, couldn't imagine it would work with any combination up on the rpms.

 

I always go 1/4 TPZL. I might try 1/2 TPZL before switching rockers. Hate to hear about the Scorpion failure especially since my spring pressure is way bigger than a beehive.

There are the new Comp gold aluminum rockers now. Wonder if they are worth a damn?

 

Im curious about them too.. Havent heard anyone running them.

 

I went with the Crane Golds since they were used by GM on the LT4 motors so IMO they have been proven, but they are a little more than the Comps $$ wise I beleive.