Help request from a noob

[scottg]

Hi all,
I have a '90 that has 68K miles on it.
I rebuilt the motor and after I put it back together it has a bad valve tick in it. I triple checked the valve clearances (I've been wrenching on my street and dirt bikes for 35 years). The 3rd exhaust valve from the left is damaging the shim, there is a circular groove in the shim from the cam. I replaced the exhaust cam and shim and the noise went away for about 50 miles but it is back. I'm thinking that the bucket is loose in the bore and moving around. Has anyone else had this type of thing happen?
The motor didn't have any bad tick before the rebuild but it did have a burned valve.
I purchased the oversized shim bucket from Yamaha but I haven't installed it yet.
Thanks for the help!
Scott

[scottg]

Update:
I've installed the oversize bucket and the motor still has a bad (maybe down to moderate) top end tick.
The new cam stopped the shim damage and the new bucket reduced the tick but it is still there.
I ran the valve clearances again and there are not any valves that are way out of spec, (two exhaust are at top limit but just there)
What could still cause a moderate tick with the valves in spec?
Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[higbonzo]

Did you replace your cams?

[Ratchet_72]

My 87 at 13k was always ticking. When they never tick, worry. Just one of the noisiest motors I've ever encountered. Not sayin you don't have a problem, I'm just saying.

[scottg]

I replaced my exhaust cam and the noise is coming from the front of the motor.
This is worse than any "normal" tick than I have ever heard.
I put 63000 miles on my '84 and this '90 is at 69000 miles now.
It didn't make any where near this much noise before I rebuilt the motor
Thanks for the thoughts

[racerrad8]

The first FJ I purchased 10 years ago had what sounded like a lifter tick. After tearing down the engine, I found a scored cylinder that was causing the piston to slap and make the noise. I was not a heavy noise, but it was heavier than the normal lifter tick.

The other thing that could be occurring is an exhaust guide could be loose in the head and actually traveling up & down making the noise.

Sounds like a tear down to find it.

Randy - RPM

[higbonzo]

Have you checked to make sure all you header pipes are tight?  Could be a bad exhaust gasket.?  Did you check to make sure no shims cracked or broke?  Could you be pushing the valve into the top of the piston?  Run the engine without the valve cover on (just don't run it for to long, I've done after shimmng my valves to make sure they all stay seated) to see if you can put a ear on the sound buy using a thesiscope.

Not much else comes to mind right now.  Sorry you are having such and issue after a rebuild.  I know the feeling and it sucks.  Also while you have the valve cover off you can be sure that you oil pump is moving enough oil, low oil pressure could be another reason you are getting a ticking sound.

Later.......

[scottg]

The guy that did my valve job said that he checked all the guides.
I sure hope none have started to slip!
The noise doesn't change with throttle opening and I hear it when I put a mechanic stethoscope next to the exhaust cam.
I do wonder of there is a guide moving around...
Thanks for the suggestions
Scott

[scottg]

If the guide is slipping do you think I could tell by looking at the guides from the exhaust port?
Thanks

[higbonzo]

Could it be a weak valve spring?

I'm having a hard time with the fact that the cam is new, yet you needed an over cam bucket.  If everything was rebuilt and back to spec you should not be having any problems with tolerances.

Like I said before have you check to make sure you are getting good oil flow in the top end of the engine.  You could have an oil passage blocked on that lobe.

Does the engine run good?

Later...

[scottg]

The motor is running GREAT except for the tick, hot or cold.
I thought that maybe the bucket was rattling around in the bore and no one knew what dimension was oversized at my Yamaha dealer do I gambled $22.
The shim on the 3rd in exhaust valve was gouged in a circle so I thought that the bucket had play in its bore. I replaced the cam and didn't open up the cam box until I was ready to install the new bucket. After replacing the cam, the shim wasn't gouged any more, but I put in the new bucket anyway.
I've checked the valve clearances many times.
When the motor is cold, it is perfect, nice and quiet but 3 to 4 miles down the road the tick starts. It is exactly the same if I'm in the gas or not so I'm sure it is a top end tick. It gets worse the higher the RPM.
I hope this gives you enough information.
Thanks for the reply
Scott

[Harvy]

Not a slight leak at one of the Exhaust ports is it........? DAMHIK......I spent a while trying to track down a similar  noise.

Harvy

[higbonzo]

Not a slight leak at one of the Exhaust ports is it........? DAMHIK......I spent a while trying to track down a similar  noise.

Harvy

I made the same suggestion.

Hell, I would ride it and see if it gets worse.  If it doesn't then it not a problem.  Maybe stay close to home for a bit until you are comfortable with the engine.  These engines tick a bit.

Have you check your oil level?

Later.....

[Harvy]

Have you check your oil level?

Oil level was fine for the 4750Km trip last couple of weeks......did not have to top up at all, changed it when I got home.......I also use that secret stuff that Lee uses. 

Harvy

[Harvy]

Have you check your oil level?

Oil level was fine for the 4750Km trip last couple of weeks......did not have to top up at all, changed it when I got home.......I also use that secret stuff that Lee uses. 

Harvy

Ah.... I now realise that the question was not for me....lol

Anyway, the reply still stands.

Harvy