Sticking valves ??
 

I fired up my new engine yesterday to check new exhaust system. It ran fine for about 5-10 minutes. Revved it up, sounded good but all of a sudden a ticking noise from the valve cover at number 1 cylinder. we shut it off. today i pulled the valve cover off and everything looks alright. The oil pressure was 55 and water temp 175f. spark plugs are a dry whitish tan color. so im thinking maybe a sticking valve/lifter. How do i check for this? do i crank the engine over by hand and watch rockers or??

Re: Sticking valves ??
 

You may have lost a lobe or had a lifter bleed down. Try to spin the push rod in the area of the noise with your fingers. If it turns easily...first check to see it the rocker nut is loose, second check to see if the rocker goes up & down when you turn it over. If it doesnt move very much its probably a lobe. Was it a new cam? If so you should have run it just over 2000 rpm for 30 minutes or so to break in the cam & lifters...

Re: Sticking valves ??
 

http://www.compcams.com/information/...yID=1821071676

Some good info on cam break-in problems. Of course I saw this AFTER I broke in my new engine...

Slonaker

Re: Sticking valves ??
 

New motor and everything looks normal--Look for a lifter that has not been pumped up. I would think that the cam would not have destroyed itself to quick. However, those cam break-in instructions are an absolute for any cam company to warranty.