347 Stroker noise

[Gustav]

Hello to the masses! First post and it's a good one. I've got a 347 stroker. I really can't tell you all the specs since I bought the car with the engine already in it. Here is the problem. After running the car for about 20 mins I start hearing a noise that sounds like a valve out of adjustment. Rear cylinder, passenger side of the engine. But the noise is down around the camshaft area. Lucky for me I could take the valve cover off without removing the intake. Started the car and checked the rocker arm to see if it was loose and it is not.
Anyone out there know if there is any common problem I should be looking for. I am starting to think it might be a wrist pin or piston skirt. In my experience, lifters tend to make noise when cold and get quiet after the motor gets hot. This is the exact opposite. And I mean this thing gets LOUD after it gets hot. I know it's not rod bearing knock. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Dark_5.0]

You are going to have to go in and take a look.

Check for bent pushrods and messed up lifters. If all of that looks OK pull the cam. If there are no flat lobes etc... you are going to have to dig deeper.

I know its not what you wanted to hear but it is what it is.

How is your oil pressure?

[Gustav]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Oil pressure is a steady 60 lbs all day long. I was under the hood yesterday and saw where I have a coolant leak at the front of the intake gasket so the intake has gotta come off anyway. I have read on a couple of other forums that the lifter bores have been causing an issue for a couple of people. Guess I know what I am doing this weekend. Lucky for me I have another car to drive. Anyway, thanks for the info.

[USMC302]

Could of had a lifter go bad too, I've had three compressed on one of my cars before.

[Dark_5.0]

Originally Posted by USMC302

Could of had a lifter go bad too, I've had three compressed on one of my cars before.

Yeah this would be the best case scenario. Hopefully that is what it is.

[Gustav]

Well, I pulled the intake. Found some scoring scratches on the bottom of #4 exhaust lifter. It also looks like the girdle that holds the lifter retainers is bent up a little. There really is not too much wear in the lifter bore. What I find really sad, it's the original factory lifter. I have always thought in my opinion that if you replace a cam, you replace the lifters as well. Especially when you are building such a high performance engine. I called Trick Flow since everything I have looked at so far was made by them. They said that it's fine to re-use the factory lifters. I have major issues with that.
Anyway, next move is to pull the cam and see what the lobe looks like. Almost tempted to pull the head instead and look down the lifter bore AND check for any piston wobble as well.