Engine tap noise?

[emeraldlion333]

Hey guys,

First off proud to be joining the group. I'm 20 and have owned a 62 VW VAN, still have it rebuilt myself ground up, 90 honda accord, 95 mustang, and my most recent addition the '88 GW. Excellent shape for 2800 but it seems to have this consistent tapping sound coming from the engine. If it wasn't for the fact that the engine was rebuilt only around 1500 miles ago by a decent shop here in town I'd say it sounded like a worn lifter tap. Anybody have any insight to this. BTW I'm having to check out my vacuum system for the 4wd and have my vacuum switch removed for the time being. TIA

Chris

[Elliott]

Welcome aboard!
It could very well be a lifter, or worse as some cams have soft lobes (faulty rebuilds?). I'd check for simpler things first like exhaust leak or loose rockers.

[SBJeep]

Assuming the rebuild was done right, I vote for exhaust leak.

And welcome, too.

[710 Burner]

May have to check out those rocker arms to make sure there isn't a problem there. Is it firing on all 8?

[emeraldlion333]

You know I haven't had a chance to dig into it real well, I'd like to have a good three days open before I start to look into it. At first start up it fires a nice rich black powder onto my used to be white concrete drive, but then cleans up. It idles fair once it warms up, not irratic like you might get from a cylinder or two not firing, it could possibly stand to have timing adjusted but I doubt it's more than a few degrees off if any. Last night on my way home it did die on me twice at stop lights, after it had warmed up, but I had shrugged it off as a vacuum leak because I had the selectrac switch unplugged. Plugged those lines so I wouldn't have a vacuum leak there because that does run to intake vacuum I think. hope the two aren't related. Once a get my next day off I'll dive into her with a stethy scope and nice aluminum rod. (Gotta love doctor's and using their equipment) Thanks for the tips and any more you might have

[Cecil14]

Might check to make sure the rockers are all tightened down well.

Anthony

[spacefabric]

You may have to listen to see exactly where the tapping is coming from. I use a large breaker bar or screwdriver then I put the tip on the rocker cover and my ear on the handle. It acts like a stethescope.

My GW ('89) taps also but runs stong so I dont worry. But with the recent rebuild I would check it out.