New motor with LOTS OF NOISE

[Josshh70]

hey all, I recently rebuilt this 360la and finally got it into its new home, however after initial break in and a putz around the block I noticed some noise. It sounds like it could be lifters or an exhaust leak? I don’t really know where to go with this. I’ll link a video I took of it. Thanks in advance!

 

[MHEAD]

You should be able to feel with your hand exhaust leaking around the headers when running.
I would pull the valve covers and check the lash will tell you what's going on.

 

[69FBCuda]

Did you pull the covers to check top end oiling?

 

[Righty Tighty]

 

[Demonracer]

Sounds like top end oiling problems to me. Was the rocker assemblies original to the engine, was the block and heads decked, if so, how much? We actually need more information about the build and machining steps.

 

[furrystump]

Sounds like valve train not happy. Pop the cover.

 

[Kendog 170]

What's your oil pressure like. There are two lifter galley plugs under the timing cover. Did you have them out? I built a 360 that someone punched one of the plugs in 2 inches and I didn't see it when putting new ones in. Apon start up the whole left bank was clacking. Had a bear of a time getting it out.
Also, another one that can cause issues under the dizzy. Just spit balling but as said pull your valve covers inspect maybe even start it briefly with covers off and see what you're getting for oil up there.
understanding a low oil pressure 360

 

[4spdragtop]

Rocker shafts have to be oriented correctly or you may starve lifters.

 

[Josshh70]

Thank you all for the replies! I will definitely pull the covers off sometime this week and put an oil pressure gauge on it. I just feel frustrated as it is a fresh rebuild with issues already. And as far as what was done, the block was decked and the heads were as well I don’t recall how much I wanna say they told me .020 on the block and .030on the heads. I am running 4.040 kb 107 pistons. Installed all new bearings, .10under size on the main and crank bearings and new cam bearings as well. I also had the crank polished and balanced with the new pistons/rods

 

[4mulas]

Stop running this until you see if there has even been any oiling in the top end. If there is this could be ‘another cam bites the dust’ scenario

 

[PRH]

Sounds like valvetrain noise and some exhaust leaks to me.

From the description I actually expected it to be worse.

I consider the one in the link to be the benchmark for HR lifter noise.

They actually dyno tested this one making that kind of racket!!

 

[Icetech]

Sounds like valvetrain noise and some exhaust leaks to me.

From the description I actually expected it to be worse.

I consider the one in the link to be the benchmark for HR lifter noise.

They actually dyno tested this one making that kind of racket!!

omg.. that is horrific.. and he just keep reving it... that hurts my soul

 

[pauly]

Sounds like a sewing machine!!

 

[Inertia]

If that's a solid lifter cam, need more adjustments,.
If hydraulic lifter cam, stop running it, find out why you have low oil pressure

 

[Kendog 170]

Thats how one bank sounded on mine. I shut it down and removed the covers started it once more and saw 1 bank with no oil. That video makes me cringe.
Stock Hydraulic with stock rockers? You probably need .050 shorter pushrods too if they milled .050 total.

 

[skep419]

Rocker arm assembly install

 

[Kendog 170]

How to Rebuild a Small Block Part 1: Block Prep (Updated 1/30/2025)

 

[eekvonzipper]

omg.. that is horrific.. and he just keep reving it... that hurts my soul

just pretend it's a 273... Sounds Great!

 

[1MeanA]

I always prelube with a drill and check for oil flow to the rockers. Someone could have messed up cam bearing or rocker shaft installation.

 

[Kendog 170]

Hopefully it's just rocker shafts installed incorrectly but definitely check your pushrod length though that wouldn't cause your current issue.

 

[Icetech]

reading all of this is stressing me... i read how mopar flood the top.. mine just have some OK oil flow.... panic!

 

[skep419]

The more I listen to it it sounds like an exhaust leak.

 

[67Dart273]

The way to find exhaust leaks is with a piece of hose, anything from fuel line to heater hose. Hold one end near your ear but start with maybe 2" away. Probe around and area. Move closer to your ear. Probe again, etc. You'll find it if it's exhaust.

Sometimes you can hear other noise, lifter, etc, same way.

Find out if it's "hitting" on all holes. DO NOT pull plug wires off as other people claim. This causes a crossfire situation, and can damage electronics as well as "carbon track" the cap/ rotor. Instead, pull the dist. boots loose, gently work small brads, paper clips etc, down beside each wire, and use a probe --screwdrive with a ground clip wire--to short out each cylinder. Do this at "best smooth idle"

 

[4mulas]

The way to find exhaust leaks is with a piece of hose, anything from fuel line to heater hose. Hold one end near your ear but start with maybe 2" away. Probe around and area. Move closer to your ear. Probe again, etc. You'll find it if it's exhaust.

Sometimes you can hear other noise, lifter, etc, same way.

Find out if it's "hitting" on all holes. DO NOT pull plug wires off as other people claim. This causes a crossfire situation, and can damage electronics as well as "carbon track" the cap/ rotor. Instead, pull the dist. boots loose, gently work small brads, paper clips etc, down beside each wire, and use a probe --screwdrive with a ground clip wire--to short out each cylinder. Do this at "best smooth idle"

Yah I’m going to jam paper clips down beside my $200 plus spiral core plug wires? I don’t think so

 

[Newbomb Turk]

Yah I’m going to jam paper clips down beside my $200 plus spiral core plug wires? I don’t think so

How would you find the dead cylinder? As 67Dart says above, you damn sure don’t want to pull the boot off the plug.

If a paper clip kills your 200 dollar wires you paid about 180 more than they are worth.