Intake Valve Tick

[Ziggy1621]

Ok, so today I tore into the driver's side intake valve cover because I could tell that is where the 'ticking' noise was coming from I thought it would be a lifter, but not so lucky. This is a deep one, so the weak stomached should not read on...

Now that I'm into the top, I can tell that the tick happens on cylinders 2,4 and 6 when the cam opens the intake valves. The tick is loudest on number 4, and even louder when the spark plug is in. I pulled the timing covers, and counted the teeth on the belt and I have 24 from intake to exhaust on both sides, and 45 between intake gears. I lined up the marks when I installed it as well.

I tried:
- unplugging the VTC solenoid (no difference)
- Removing the VTC Spring (New, and no difference)

Things I'm considering:
- Bad Camshaft
- I noticed I must have mixed up intake gears from the 2 motors I built this one out of because they look different in the front. I counted the teeth and they both have the same amount of teeth. The only difference is the cap that screws on the front. Here is a pic from when I put it together out of the car, keep in mind the intake on the right (driver's) in the pic is the one making the noise:


Anyone have any educated guesses or things I can test?

[t.mcginley.jr]

Assuming that it isn't the lifters themselves, it's possible the valve springs are the problem. Are they stock springs? They can wear out with age/use cause valve float or just cause the lifter to drop slightly as the cam rotates

[Ziggy1621]

It would have to be all 6 on that cam. Not very likely. Keep in mind I just had this motor apart, it's a fresh build with some donor parts

Also, I tried to geta feeler gauge under the cam lobes, and there isn't a gap when the lobe is up or down

[Ziggy1621]

Ipad video. The high pitch tick is the one I need to fix. You hear it on 2,4 and 6 when the cam presses the intake valves open.

http://youtu.be/76qz82N0K4s

[nissanfreak12]

I think your freaking out a little too much over a noise that may not be present when you get the engine running. Honestly, the engine sounds like its supposed to. You have to remember you are doing it on a cold motor, you may have lack of lubrication because it has not ran in a while. If you listen to alot of engines, you have more valve chatter than normal because the oil has to travel to the cams. Some do not have it, or at least noticeable, but eventually will. The other thing you also might be hearing is blow by, the engine has not been broken in. You still need to have the rings seated properly, so sounds may be different than from an engine that have been together for while.

If you have the proper specs between the lifters and cams, your valves are seated properly, nothing catching in the guides, the timing set properly, and valves are not hitting you have nothing to worry about.

I know you have put a lot of time into this and want it work, but as long as you followed all the specs, and all are set correctly, you will be fine.

[Ziggy1621]

No bro, I ran it a couple hundred miles and had to tear it back down. Here is what it sounds like when running. The tick is real loud. That first one is just what it sounds like taken down

http://youtu.be/WhMYXrWvExU

Edit: been doing some researching, and it seems the gear on the drivers head is a 94+. Can someone confirm that having a new style gear on an old style head could be the culprit?

[AZhitman]

Do you have the FSM? That'd be my only useful contribution.

[Ziggy1621]

Thought I'd update this thread. I figured it out move-over-macguyver-t570246.html