4AGZE 264 Tomei cams making tapping noise

[TRP]

The engine has recently been rebuilt with oversized pistons & Tomei 264 cams, but now it's making a loud tapping noise from every valve. The clearances have been checked & double checked & they appear to be fine but the tapping wont go away. The guy who did the head reckons stick to the standard cams, but I bought them for a reason, so I'm not doing that. Anyone had this problem or got any advice?
Any help would be appreciated, as this is like a steering wheel in my pants - It's driving me nuts!

[Callifo]

I've been told this is normal, I've got 260-270deg cam and the noise is audible with the bonnet up and if you put your ear up to the exhaust. Clearances were set as per the supplied spec sheet.

I'd be interested to hear in this thread if its otherwise.

[TRP]

Cool thanks that gives me a little peace of mind.
Have you had any problems with it?

[xero]

ive got Tomei 304/296 cams and ive never heard them tapping? granted ive got open trumpets but i cant hear any tapping otherwise

[TERRA Operative]

Yea, anything more than a slight clicking isn't good.
The clicking of the injectors should be louder than the cams.

[oldeskewltoy]

Yea, anything more than a slight clicking isn't good.
The clicking of the injectors should be louder than the cams.

this.......

[Callifo]

Can someone shed light on what might cause it then? Similar to the OP, fully rebuilt head, everything basically brand new, double valve springs, everything was acid cleaned and inspected etc Clearances were spot on and rechecked after 2000km.

[mullett]

I would have suspected the valve springs: If the ramp angle was too steep the valves wouldn't keep up on the return stroke, causing them to 'tap' into the cam. But that should only be evident at high RPM. Does Tomei specify their own clearances/springs etc to suit the cams? Other possibility is too much lift causing the springs to touch/bind...you *really* don't want that...

[TERRA Operative]

Also check your valves for straightness and your valve guides for wear.

[xero]

I would have suspected the valve springs: If the ramp angle was too steep the valves wouldn't keep up on the return stroke, causing them to 'tap' into the cam. But that should only be evident at high RPM. Does Tomei specify their own clearances/springs etc to suit the cams? Other possibility is too much lift causing the springs to touch/bind...you *really* don't want that...

this is possible but i given the RPM my engine sees and the size of the cams i use you'd think the problem would present it self.

i read my Tomei instructions a few times and doesnt specifiy anything other than the normal "check clearences, springs, valves and buckets" etc etc.
ive got a full supertech valve train kit including double valve springs with big Tomei cams but no noise to speak of.

[1JZ-Rolla]

Do you run shims on top of the buckets still, or a 1 piece bucket configuration?

Your cams don't sound wild, but I had a problem with Wade cams a few years back in 4AG's where the same noise was apparent (even at idle). I took off one of the valve covers and rotated the motor in increments by hand, and noticed that the shims were tilting off the buckets on the closing ramp of the cam - even though the cam manufacturer stated they would be fine with shim-over setups.

Something worth checking perhaps, for peace of mind. If it is this problem, you definitely don't want to give it a big rev


Cheers
Phil

[dnegative]

Poncam 264's wont wipe the shims off, not enough lift.
Wade are pretty shit for cam advice, told me the 872a or whatever was fine on stock valvetrain when its not.


TRP - I've got 264's in my 4AGE and its factory quiet. Checked the clearances are they are all in spec.

[1JZ-Rolla]

That's good to know about the poncams. Yep, Wade were shit with advice and product knowledge.... didn't get good results on the replacement cams they eventually provided either, will never use again.

[Bazda]

Possibly its your pistons, large clearance makes noises.
I run large piston/bore clearances in my engine and its noisy! Sounds like it comes from the head but its not.

[oldcorollas]

is oil getting to the head?