Noisy lifters after cam install

[raped]

Looking for thoughts or input from anyone on this issue here.

I purchased a set of Delta cam HKS 264 cams for my daily driver 98 GSX and I installed them along with new OEM pulleys and a new OEM EVO 9 timing belt. After the cam install there was a lot of valve train noise, it sounded like noisy lifters. I figured the sound would go away after a few minutes like it always does but it has not. I have run this car for a total of approximately 15 miles over the course of 4 days and the sound has not gone away or improved.

Any thoughts before I swap the stock cams back in?

 

[chanley talon]

I had the same issue i ordered new 3g lifters. I think thats what happens when you push a old lifter past its normal distance it craps out. If your using shims under your lifters they are sitting higher in the lifter bore and are being pushed down harder.

 

[raped]

Interesting. I might have a set of 3g lifters sitting around, I could try swapping them out. I really don't understand why it went from quiet to EXTREMELY noisy. I never shimmed the lifters either, these are not regrind cams.

 

[JacksonAuto]

Did you bleed them down before putting them back in? Aftermarket cams create more noise than stockers so what you're hearing could be normal.

 

[raped]

I did not bleed them, I have never had to bleed them in the past. I simply removed the stock cams and put these cams in. I never removed the lifters or rocker arms. I have installed after market cams in the past and I run HKS 272s in my Talon. The car is extremely noisy now, it is definitely not normal.

Thanks

 

[JacksonAuto]

It could be that the geometry is significantly different with these cams and the lifters need to be bled again. With the cams being the only thing that was changed, I would be that's the case. What kind of springs are you running? They can be noisy, too, if they're inadequate or worn.

 

[raped]

The springs and the rest of the valve train is stock. I think I am going to remove, clean, and bleed (or replace) the lifters tomorrow. I'll report back with the results. Thanks for the help and if anyone has any comments please share.

 

[Black95TSIawd]

How long was the motor off for while you did the cam swap? If you don't bleed the lifters, you have to give them some time to gravity bleed otherwise they might stick open and cause valve to piston contact. Do a compression test if you can.

 

[raped]

The car had been off for about 3 days. I was going to swap the lifters today but I didnt have time. I'll do it tomorrow or the following day. I was going to do a compression check after I swapped the lifters just for kicks even though I don't think there is anyway that the lifters could have pumped up and bent the valves. Aside from the loud lifter tick that seems to be coming from multiple lifters, the car runs great.

 

[NOSLO2PT0]

It took my engine about 30min of run time before the lifters quieted down. I had to do a head rebuild and bled the lifters down. I'd be more concerned with piston to valve contact if you didn't bleed the lifters. If everything is ok, just keep letting it run and eventually, they will quiet down.

 

[raped]

I pulled the car into the shop today and removed the valve cover. Every single rocker that did not have pressure on it from the cam lobe had play in it. Then I took out my dial caliper and measured the diameter of the cams (where it rides on the rocker arm ignoring the raised lobe) and the Delta HKS 264 cams are about .077" smaller!! Now I am not happy. I'll be calling Delta Cam tomorrow when they open and I will report back.

 

[viperlp01]

Did you make sure to install the shims under the lifters. They are regrinds so they only take material off the cam. If did not get the shims or know about the shims go out and buy 16 #10 size washers and install them under the lifters. They should have came with the cams but I know they have sometimes not included them with the package.

 

[EclipticalGS]

I pulled the car into the shop today and removed the valve cover. Every single rocker that did not have pressure on it from the cam lobe had play in it. Then I took out my dial caliper and measured the diameter of the cams (where it rides on the rocker arm ignoring the raised lobe) and the Delta HKS 264 cams are about .077" smaller!! Now I am not happy. I'll be calling Delta Cam tomorrow when they open and I will report back.

yeah you just told us your cams werent a regrind, but you got Delta hks 264 regrinds...You need shims.

 

[raped]

I talked to the guy from delta cam at length. He assured me these cams were identical to HKS 264s. He said they were not regrinds and that they were made from new billet stock.

# 10 washer you say? Does anyone know the exact thickness that the shin is supposed to be? Thanks in advance.

 

[viperlp01]

I deal with Delta all the time with my shop. They send out 16 #10 washers with there cams. Can you post a picture of your cam to verify to us that is indeed a billet grind and not a regrind. It would be pretty easy to tell... regardless try the lifter shims.

 

[raped]

I deal with Delta all the time with my shop. They send out 16 #10 washers with there cams. Can you post a picture of your cam to verify to us that is indeed a billet grind and not a regrind. It would be pretty easy to tell... regardless try the lifter shims.

Yup, they are regrinds and they did not include shims in the package. I am a little upset because I sent them a set of genuine HKS 264 cams that had 2 scored cam journals to repair. I called a month later to follow up because I had not heard back from them. When I called they said they didn't know where my cams were and they said they would just send me a set of their HKS copies. I explicitly asked if their cams are identical to the HKS cams and they said yes. Obviously they are not.

I put a # 10 washer (measuring about .045" each) and it is much quieter but still noisier than the genuine HKS cams in my other car.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[keltalon]

It is normal for lifter to tick loud after cam install. Drive the car for a day or so and the ticking should go away.

 

[GSXeclipsePSI]

I didn't shim the lifters either and I also used 3g lifters and they are taller could this cancel out the need for the shims? If so whats going on since I didn't uses them am I loosing power or causing damage?

 

[jpmxrider489]

Pictures or even a video would help. This is definitely not normal.