I just installed an RMW street cam and when I took it for a test drive I could here a ticking noise. It's kind of hard to explain it but it obviously was not there before the install. I torqued everything and double checked as I went. Anyone have any suggestions as to what it might be?

Also when I was torqueing the motor mount bolts back onto the head one of the four decided to snap and completely break off!!! Anyone have any idea how I might be able to get it out and put a new one back in?

 

Do these cams need to have spark plug tubes dented?
Guess I would just use a large EasyOut to get that thing out. Rmove the motor mount first and it should not be that hard unless the treads were damaged

 

Thanks for the info about the easy out!

I thought the RMW cams didn't have an issue with the spark plug tubes. I thought it was only the schrick cams. If I do need to dent the spark plug tubes how would I go about doing that?

 

I just went out and started the car and let it idle. The noise is coming from the valve cover, but it almost seems like a normal sound if you know what I mean but it was never there before. It isn't so much of a ticking noise. If someone who has an RMW cam can chime in and let me know if you heard any noise difference when you installed yours that would be good.

 

I took it for another spin. The so called ticking sound or what have you gets louder and obviously faster, the higher the rpm's are. I really have no idea what it could be.

 

The RMW cam does not require the tubs to be dented. I had the same sound with it installed and did not notice any wear when it was removed. I think its just the added lift in the valvetrain.

 

So you don't think I have anything to worry about concerning the ticking noise? I might take the valve cover off tomorrow and take a look at it just to make sure everything looks alright.

 

Have you e-mailed Jan from RMW about this yet? I'm sure he would have the best answere for you.

 

Well I took the valve cover off and took a look to see if anything was out of the ordinary and I couldn't find anything. All the orange plastic caps were in place, nothing was loose or damaged.

The only thing I could think of was maybe I have the cam caps on backwards, if thats even possible. They were numbered 1-5 and when I was looking at the numbers from the front of the engine they were upside down. Other than that I am clueless still.

I did go by some STP Octane booster, but I doubt that will do anything.

 

I have installed the RMW cam. No sound and not vibration or anything E-mail Jan.

 

Yeah I have sent him a PM. After reading some threads I'm starting to think it may be the Timing chain tensioner.

 

Yea try a tensioner. I just replaced mine and it removed some valvetrain noise. Maybe thats why it ticked in my engine as well?

 

No problems or sounds on my RMW cam install.

 

Did you install a new tensioner? if not that may be it. I know when I did mine I also installed a new tensioner. I also remember thinking that I had more drive train noise under the bonnet.




BTW - How do you like the cam ?

 

Here are two videos of what it sounds like.

BTW I love the cam!

 

sounds like chain tensioner........better check the guides too

 

Jan what should I look for when I am checking the guides? I did just try and reinstall the tensioner but had no luck. I have a new one coming tomorrow. When I install the new one should I press the spring in before hand or put pressure on it when I am putting the bolt back on?

Thanks for all your help guys!!!

 

should be on the first detent
shine a flashlight onto the guides and make sure they are NOT torn up

 

Ugggg.... Yikers. Are you sure you aligned the cam up perfectly to the crank via chain indicators? Man, it just sounds like it's running very badly, not even considering that noise.
Did you depress the chain guide into the tensioner after install and trigger the spring?

 

Yeah I lined everything up. I had the little arrow pointing up on the sprocket when I swapped the cams. It didn't skip any teeth or anything when I was moving it to the top either, nor during the process of swapping.

I don't believe I did depress the chain guide after the install. How would I do that.

BTW it starts, runs and idles just fine.

 

Some slipped in a diesel while you weren't looking You are running it like that?

 

unfortunately I have no choice but to drive it, it's my only car. I do get the new tensioner today and I am going to open the valve cover back up and take a look at the guides. How do I depress the chain guide into the tensioner?

 

Been a while since I've one this with the motor in the car. You use a long screwdriver or something and pry over that chain guide against the tensioner until you trigger it to tension. Hopefully the place you bought this cam from might help you out with this better then I.

Really sounds to me like more of an issue with cam timing or something, but I have no experience with loose guides so I just don't know what they sound like. Your video makes the car sound like it's running very very poorly, like on 3 cylinders kinda thing. Just hard to diagnose when not there. Hopefully you didn't jump a tooth down on the crank.

 

If you tensioner is not pressurizing, the whole valve train will clatter like the dickens, not just tick. It's a pretty alarming sound, you definitely wouldn't want to drive it. If you are hearing a single ticking noise, it is more likeley that one of your lifters is not pressurizing and the rocker is tapping off the valve stem.

 

I don't know how I could have jumped a tooth down on the crank. If that would be the case how would I fix that? I also lined everything back up when I put the new cam in.

@Helix- How would I fix the lifters if it is not pressurizing correctly?