Valvetrain noise?

I got the XL back from the exhaust shop today and was excited for the first test drive. I noticed a slight "ticking" on the way home and figured it was a header leak. Snugged all the bolts after it cooled and tried again. Noise is still there. Pop the hood and there is a definite "noise" coming from both valve covers. Almost like solid lifters, but never goes away.

It's a new 390 that is .030 over
Comp Cams 270H (cam, lifters, timing chain, and springs)
stock rockers (non-adjustable) and push rods
FPA headers with 2 1/2" exhaust to the bumper
Holley 600 on an F427 intake

The engine was a stock 2bbl rebuild with about 1500 miles on it that I added the performance stuff to. It runs well and pulls good, still needs tuned though.

The cam was broke in per Comp Cams directions. 1500-2000rpm for 30min varing the rpm every so often. Break-in was uneventful. Temp stayed between 165-175 (I had a box fan blowing on the radiator) and oil pressure was good and solid. Didn't notice the noise then, but I also didn't have exhaust then either.

I drove the car around for about a 1/2 hour and it never got any louder, but it never got any quieter. I am paranoid as hell about all the other cam failures I keep hearing about.

Or do I just need a set of adjustable rockers?

Thanks

Jim (673904spd)

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 673904spd on 8/11/05 9:56am ]</font>

could it be the exhaust flowing thru your headers? my buddies 68 cuda has a pinginsh kind sound in his...

I have always been told that any FE with more than .500 lift will need an adjustable rocker arm. I have used cams that have less than .500 lift in FE\'s and have had no problems.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 1970galaxie on 8/12/05 5:26pm ]</font>

My 352 is doing the same thing and I have cast exhaust manifolds. I think its just wear in the rockers and the shaft. Did you check them for any loosness or roughness in the rocker to shaft fit?[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
[addsig]

Although I didn\'t check them, this engine made absolutely no noise before the cam swap....[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]