Valve train noise

[thechileman]

OK, I finally got under the hood and adjusted the valves. I expected a couple of them to be "Loose" because my valve train seems "clattery" to me. A couple needed minor adjustments, but everything was close to spec. It has been awhile since I have owned an LBC. And never a Triumph, (I have had MGB's in the past.) Is a noisy valve train normal on a TR4?? Everything under the valve cover looked good, no obvious damage etc... The car runs strong. Just noisy... Any thoughts out there?? Thanks!

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Some are noisier than others. My TR3, even though the valve train was all rebuilt, and ran great, had some clatter. I've heard some that were very quiet; others, like mine, let you know they're working...

If it gets too bothersome, you can get an alum. valve cover, though some say it doesn't help all that much, and is a bit harder to seal. My vote is to drive it!

Mickey

 

[tomshobby]

I like to compare the sound of a well adjusted valve train to that of a sewing machine.

 

[DrEntropy]

Singer "treadle" or "electric"??

 

[TR4]

My TR4 valve train is noisy but with 102,000 miles on it without a rebuild, that is OK with me. It runs strong, burns no oil and has good compression. I too thought adjusting the valves would make the noise go away but it only slightly improved it. I have been told that the noise lets you know the valves are working and once you get going, the wind noise blocks them out anyway. Drive on............

 

[DrEntropy]

"Better too loose than too tight!"

Adjustment never overcomes arm/shaft wear. If it ain't clatterin' a bit, somebody musta turn'd it off. :smirk:

 

[prb51]

Mine's a bit noisy too and I'm going to have the train rebuilt, sometimes the faces of the rockers get dished not allowing a true reading with the feeler guage....but, that being said, the TR3/4 has always been noisy and there are letters in Piggotts books on the marque from new owners to the factory asking how to reduce the valve clatter. There answer, check/adjust the valves and live with it.

 

[TR3driver]

Just thought I'd throw in a plug here. If you are considering rebuilding the original rocker arms/shaft, I'd recommend
Rocker Arm Specialist
19841 Hirsch Court
Anderson, CA 96007
Tel (530) 378-1075
(800)747-2767
fax (530) 378-1177
mailto:rocker@c-zone.net
https://www.rockerarms.com/index.htm

I've had them do several for me, and they came back looking like new; for about the same price as the parts would cost me. I'm still not sure if they replaced the rockers themselves or not, but they sure looked like new, right down to the copper-colored coating. The shaft, adjusters, lock nuts and springs were clearly new; while the end caps and pedestals were clearly not new (but nicely cleaned up).

And it did make a noticeable difference in valve train noise. Before I had a click that would come and go, apparently as the rocker moved back and forth across the worn portion of the shaft and rocker tip.

Still had some noise afterwards, but the loud exhaust covered it up so I couldn't hear it from the driver's seat.

 

[prb51]

Randall,
Those are the guys (guy) I have in mind and have heard good stuff about him.

 

[DNK]

I wish I had any valve train noise on either of my LBC's

 

[thechileman]

Thanks for all the feedback!! I will just live with the noise for now. Maybe get the valve train rebuilt down the road. I am a big believer in "if it ain't broke, drive it until it does!" I took her on a 60 mile drive this afternoon, and she ran great!! Spring is definitely here in NM...

 

[DrEntropy]

I will just live with the noise for now. Maybe get the valve train rebuilt down the road. I am a big believer in "if it ain't broke, drive it until it does!" I took her on a 60 mile drive this afternoon, and she ran great!! Spring is definitely here in NM...

Another problem SOLVED!! :wink: