valvetrain noise part II

my internet was down so i wasnt able to keep you guys posted.

i pulled the intake and removed the valve covers and turned the engine over all of the lifters are working properly. could there be a collapsed lifter that doesnt function under load/pressure? im running out of ideas. should i just replace all the lifters? im pretty desperate at this point. could there be a problem with my head or valves?

all valve springs are find too btw.

the specs call for 25ftlbs for the rocker arms does it matter where they are in the stroke when i tighten them?

if you set the cylinder at tdc you shouldn't have any play.the best plan i've seen is get the cylinder at tdc. loosen or tighten rocker arm nut till at the edge of being able to rotate push rod freely. then tighten 1/4 turn. also check cam for bad lobes. i didn't see other thread and don't know what you've done.

I had that issue in an 5.7 Mercruiser, 97 yr. Even after inspecting and adjusting the mechanical rockers, the noise would come back. It started to run rough. After rotating by the engine by hand and watching the push rods/rocker arms, lift was short on a couple of valves. Turns out a couple of cam lobs had worn.

I hope this is not your issue, it is an easy fix in DD and Easily replaced from Jegs.

If you have hydraulic lifters, you could have a bad one or two, that does happen. Varnish can build and cause them to stick and/or cause blockage in the oil passage, this can be rectified by pulling them, soaking them to clean them and then replace them, find a write up on proper reinstallation of hydraulic lifters. It could also just be mechanical failure. You can try to isolate the area by listening with a stethoscope, if you find that it is mechanical damage, you have the area of the bad ones, run to the auto parts store and buy a couple of new ones.

My rule is, if you have a problem start with least expensive part and work your way up, that's only if you don't know exactly what is wrong with it.

could there be a collapsed lifter that doesnt function under load/pressure?

Yes, I believe that this is the most likely culprit.