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[binduni]

I know, what a broad subject! But, I need to ask as I’m new to a *running* TR4a… been restoring this for 2 ½ years now.
My question is this: I have a constant “tick” when at idle, and that tick is masked by what sounds like loud valves. BUT, valves are adjusted per spec and the engine runs real strong. Is this a “normal” TR sound? When I take it up to 4k RPM, it sounds like it’s going to come apart!
Here’s the back ground on the rebuild: I had the head rebuilt by a pro shop with all new valves & guides, and rocker spacers. I rebuilt the rest of the engine per spec (not new to engine rebuilding, this is my umpteenth) with a reground crank and cam, new pistons & sleeves (87mm) new rod bolts, lightweight tappets and new push rods, new timing chain & tensioner, and of course all new gaskets everywhere.
Any one what to take some guesses???
Brian
1967 TR4a

[Bob Muzio]

Are you able to tell where the tick is coming from on the engine? A long screwdriver works well, place the slotted end on an area of the engine and your ear on the handle end.
If it's from the timimg chain area has the sound deadening material been removed from the cover? The material isn't pretty and might have been removed with the thought it was built up grease or...
Bob

[binduni]

Thanks Bob, I'll try the screwdriver trick! I've tried a long piece of tubing, and found no localized source of the sound. To answer your question, no, there is no sound deadening on the front of the timing chain cover - does this really help?
I'm thinking the "tick" is actually an exhaust leak (hopefully not a cracked manifold!) either in the mating of the header to the engine or header to head pipe. I’m going to poke around in those areas and see what I can find.
The other sound, more of a rattle (like a lose rod, but not as bad) that occurs when I let off the gas or under acceleration, could be a lose oil thrower under the timing cover.
Either way, I don’t have a sporting sounding TR but a mad one!
I'll see if I can capture video w/ sound and post.
Brian

[binduni]

OK, I was able to make a short video of the engine running - see if you can offer some pointers from this http://www.induninw.com/TR4a%20engine%20noise.wmv

Brian

[none]

It is really hard to tell from the video if there is a noise problem.

Do you know or can you find a person that has been around cars a lot. A good choice would be someone that buys and sells a lot of used cars and has been doing it for many years. That would be someone that could listen and most likely tell you right off if there is a problem.

[Bob Muzio]

Hmmmmmm. Generally a tick noise that's exhaust leak related will diminish or disappear when the engine gets to operating temperature.
A rattle after one revs the engine, heard as the engine speed decreases, if not "heavy" might be a wrist pin bushing.
I'll forward your video to a friend to see what he thinks.
Bob

[Bob Muzio]

Here's some additional thoughts on the engine noise concern from a friend.
Good luck!
Bob

I had an issue when I first fired up my rebuilt engine that is similar
 to
his noise. It turn out that one of my pushrods was not seated properly
 and
got hung up on the edge of a tapped. It made a hell of a noise. It even
 bent
the pushrod a bit. I was surprised that a made a screw up like that
 because
I'm so damned careful with everything. As they say shit happens.
 Another
 thought
might be his timing. If it's way off (and that's easy to do with some
aftermarket timing gears with poorly positioned timing alignment holes)
 the
engine will tick like a cheap watch.