I was doing some final RPM tuning and AF tuning on my Weber 38. Finally have it to an acceptable range. Now that i have just about all the aftermarket stuff in place it run much more smoothly and quietly. Of course that allowed me to hear some sort of tick or knock coming from my valve cover. It is a little concerning since the engine was rebuilt just 2 years (easily less than 20,000 miles).
Could that be the sound of the aftermarket 261 C cam?

 

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I've never heard that type of knock before, my first thought would be maybe the valve cover is tightened too much and that rockers are hitting the baffle? Maybe it's just the way the weber and cam sound, it doesn't sound very mechanical like metal parts hitting, kind of like a pumping sound, maybe it's my computer.

 

well i don't know what to think of it either. But if you don't think it is a major issue then i guess its not worth tearing it apart. i would hate to back off the valve cover and create a leak ...

 

I think you are paranoid haha Check often to make sure that it doesn't get worse. Check if the sound is louder with more throttle or less, part throttle, idle only etc it should guide you in the right direction.

 

I think i am a bit paranoid too. Just want to make sure though. Pretty much everything on it has been redone, and i am surprised that after all these years everything still seems to work like a charm. Would hate for something i upgraded / rebuilt to go out on me now.

 

You only need to worry when your 22r doesn't sound like that. Valve noise is a signature characteristic of the R engine. Have never seen, heard of or experienced a properly tuned 20/22r that doesn't make a lot of valve noise. The 261C cam is not aggressive and should not be causing the rocker arms to contact the valve cover. Last I checked my cam wasn't making my rockers hit my valve cover and my cam is much bigger than the 261C. I should check again though, so thx for the reminder.