Valve train noise

[AmadeusCharger500]

Having some noise coming from the right side. It is definitely valve train or a combo with a slight header gasket leak. It is not very loud but it is noticable. The engine is 318 rebuilt 7 years ago, with 1000 miles. I change the oil once a year.
Im going to pull the valve cover and re torque the rocker shaft. Rebuild book says to simply tighten 15ft/lb starting with center working out.
My question so far is simply this.

Is there any concern about piston position when doing this?

[scratchinfotraction]

no.

if you have the VC off, use a wooden handle to push on each rocker as it is running to see which lifter is ticking.

I have R&R a few flat/roller lifters, tear them down on the bench and clean the gunk out of them. no ticking after that. they will clog up and stop adjusting-going solid with to much clearance = ticking.

IMHO, a header leak will make you chase a valvetrain "tick" and never find it. fix this first. I use copper RTV on manifolds metal to metal and with headers on both side of gaskets. let cure 24 hrs.

if you have the VC off, I suggest R&R the shafts/rockers and have a look at the PR cup and the wear on the shafts.

make sure they are on the shaft in correct order with notch on correct end of shaft/head for oiling and re-install them torque bolts to specs.

[AmadeusCharger500]

Rockers are so worn its funny

[scratchinfotraction]

some will be lose and sloppy feeling on the shaft depending on cam cycle per cyl.

are the rocker holes egg shaped with wear? how thin? shafts look worn/scuffed? are the on the shaft in correct order? left/right offsets?  that can be another ticking sound with them.

toss on another used set and let it rip.

I have a bucket of used spare rockers to keep a fair working set in use on my daily driver. lol!

how did the ends of the push rods look?

are they the 5/16" solid rods or the 3/8" replacement rods?

[Kern Dog]

Scratchy! Frankenduster here!
I have a 360 in a Dart that came from a 76 Dodge truck. When I got the engine, it had 3 inches of sludge goop in the oil pan. I pulled the valve covers to find the same goop everywhere. I figured the engine was a 300,000 mile neglected turd but the cylinders were nice, the rod and main bearings looked good and the cam was okay. I DEgunked everything and put a car oil pan on it. Upon startup, the engine ran great but had LOTS of valve clatter. I pulled the rocker shafts and swapped in a set from a very clean 318 I had. The clatter totally disappeared. I figure that the sludged up condition resulted in excessive wear on either the rocker arms, the shafts or both.

[AmadeusCharger500]

Thanks everyone. It turns out there were a few in the wrong position, L to R, and the whole set seemed loose with wear. I ordered a stock set from advance, and reinstalled everything, in the correct order this time and it quieted most of the noise down. I think there still might be a lazy lifter not pumping up.. but Im satisfied for them moment.

[scratchinfotraction]

Glad to hear you got it.

Hi Frankenduster,  yep been there before with a 100$ JY teen before.  same deal but went back later to find the shaft almost plugged solid with sludge.  now I am sure to pull the end plugs and clean out the shaft ID. I was wide eyed to see the inside of a lifter packed solid with gritty sludge and how well it worked after a cleaning.

one of the first things I check when a VC come off is for correct L&R rocker positions on the shaft and make sure the shaft notch is correct for oiling.

I also notice that auto parts stores like to give you the 3/8 chebby push rod and not the 5/16" solid mopar rods when replacing them.