Noisy cylinder head

[Gresley]

Following on from the recent post about about noisy cylinder heads, I thought I would pop the bonnet up after I got home from work tonight and have a listen to mine. I knew my replacement LH head was a bit 'ticky' but it sounds really awful. I nearly died when I heard it in factIt sounds like a bag of spanners when the engine is revved, whereas my original head was so quiet...

My question is could this be the valve guides, as everything else was re used from my original (quiet) head? The car starts and runs really well.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Brian (feeling a bit deflated)

[GDPR]

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Hows the oil feed to the head? Is there a decent amount of oil around the cam when you pop the cover off?

[Gresley]

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Hi Russ

Thanks for the reply. I think the oil feed is Ok as it was very oily in there, with pools in the buckets, when I rechecked the valve clearances. I'll get the cover off again and have another look - I certainly can't live with this noise!:X

Brian

[flying farmer]

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Check the sprocket bolts. Even if they are locked they may be loose. This has happened to me twice in the last ten years. Complete destruction may not be far away!!!!:shock:

[marshman]

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Brian,

Before taking anything apart I would suggest checking the following to give more clues where to look:

1. Start the engine. Listen as you start it. Does the noise get better, worse or no different as the oil pressure builds up?

2. Leave it ticking over. Does the noise get better, worse or no different as the engine warms up.

3. Increase the revs slightly - how does the noise change, louder,quieter does it change from a tap to a solid knock?

4. Get a piece of wood approx 12" long - piece of 1/2" dowel is ideal, and use it as a listening stick. You can then "probe" along the head and identify the approximate location of the noise so that when you remove the cover you have an idea where to look. If you have not done this before you use one hand to locate one end of the wood very firmly against the engine where you want to listen. Make sure it doesn't slip into some moving bits:shock:then press your thumb firmly on the other end then press your ear firmly against the knockle on your thumb. You will be amazed at the noises you hear. You could probably compare the sounds with those from the right hand head in the same position.

Let us know what you find

Roger

[Gresley]

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Hi Guys

Argh!!! Sprocket bolts - now I have visions of a horrible bang:shock:!! I'll check them pronto.

The noise gets worse as the engine warms up, it is at its worst after a heatsoak. I have a handy piece of wood so will have a listen when the engine is warm tomorrow. I'm glad I listened with the bonnet up, it is amazing how much noise the sound deadening must cut out!

I have several things to check now so I'll keep you informed as I go along!

Many thanks

Brian

[Gresley]

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Ok, I have had the camshaft cover off and had a look. There is loads of oil in there so it must be getting plenty. What I did find is that there is what I would estimate to be 10 thou sideways movement of the cam buckets in their bores. These cam buckets were quiet in my original head and seemed to be a good fit in the bores when I put the head on, ie cold. With the head hot they are incredibly sloppy, so I presume the bores are worn. Using a listening stick, it seems as if the front is noisier than the back.

What are my options? The noise is horrible

[marshman]

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Brian,

Do they rock back and forwards as well as side to side? I read somewhere that oversize buckets were used if the bores got damaged and had been bored oversize. Perhaps someone on the forum has more info on sizes?

Was the head a recon head from a "reputable" supplier? if so maybe there could be some redress there.


Remove the camshaft and the buckets then check both the cam bucket/follower and the bore for ovality.

Roger

[Gresley]

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Hi Roger

I only noticed that they rock from side to side, I didn't try fore and aft. The head was a secondhand head and not a recon so I suppose this sort of thing is to be expected

The car runs really well, it just ticks!! I'll have to have a stripdown, but I haven't got tme to do it for a couple of weeks or so.

Thanks,

Brian

[Andrew S]

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Hi Brian

Its doesnt sound like this does it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArWqODfQ4ao

Andrew

[Gresley]

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Hi Andrew

It doesn't sound like that exactly, more like a very loud ticking. It sounds like tappets with miles of clearance! The valve clearances are OK though...

Brian