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Tapping noise

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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 10:00 AM
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Default Tapping noise

So when I start up first thing in the morning (no matter if its cold or hot out) I am getting a tapping noise that changes with RPM's. When the car gets warmed up, the noise goes away. If the car sits and cools down, it happens again at startup.

The noise goes away after a few minutes. And you can beat on it and it won't make the noise.

It basically sounds like someone taking a bolt and tapping an exhaust pipe. Ive checked the exhaust...no clearance issues or anything loose.

I have a warmed over 350, with a cam, Weiand intake, Edelbrock carb, 3 inch exhaust no cats, full MSD setup.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 11:46 AM
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have you checked with a piece of rubber hose held near your ear and the other end near the valve covers if the noise is a loose rocker arm?
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
have you checked with a piece of rubber hose held near your ear and the other end near the valve covers if the noise is a loose rocker arm?
I have not, but wouldn't the noise be present at all times if it was a loose rocker arm?
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 12:22 PM
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Exhaust leak.
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by gerry72
Exhaust leak.
Thank You for the reply, but again, if there was an exhaust leak wouldn't that sound be present at all times? My exhaust is a fully welded stainless system.
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 12:43 PM
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My guess would be rocker or the pressed in rocker stud that has come loose causing the rocker to become loose.Cold, the oil lube has drained off enough to make the tapping sound until oil gets pumped backed up to quiet it down.
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by 1975RedRay
Thank You for the reply, but again, if there was an exhaust leak wouldn't that sound be present at all times? My exhaust is a fully welded stainless system.
The symptoms you describe are very classic for a small exhaust leak. Once the system heats up and expands, it seals the leak. Nut and bolt the system while it's cold. The leak is at the manifold-to-head interface or the manifold-to-pipe interface. And by manifold, that means either iron manifolds or headers. I'm not talking a major leak but a tiny one.
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 01:24 PM
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Sounds like a sticky lifter. My truck used to do the same thing. Once the engine warmed up it went away. Hydraulic lifter was sticky. I put in a quart of tranny fluid to clean the system and it helped stop it.

TCT
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by gerry72
The symptoms you describe are very classic for a small exhaust leak. Once the system heats up and expands, it seals the leak. Nut and bolt the system while it's cold. The leak is at the manifold-to-head interface or the manifold-to-pipe interface. And by manifold, that means either iron manifolds or headers. I'm not talking a major leak but a tiny one.
I could se this being the case on a nut and bolt/clamp system, but I have a front to back welded system. I did check the exhaust, which seems fine.
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by gjohnson
My guess would be rocker or the pressed in rocker stud that has come loose causing the rocker to become loose.Cold, the oil lube has drained off enough to make the tapping sound until oil gets pumped backed up to quiet it down.
That's what I have been seeing in some older posts. I think I am going to pull the valve covers off (haven't been off in about 10 yrs.) Will check the lifters and studs.

Was also thinking maybe a sticking fuel pump rod where it could be slapping? Seen that in other small block Chevrolets.....

Thanks again for the replies.
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Tin_Can_Terminator
...Sounds like a sticky lifter...
TCT
That gets my vote.
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