Chattering noise from head after a track day

[Ceeker]

I have found the inherent issue with M20s is rocker arm adjustment neglect, coupled with the natural sound of fuel injectors. it can make an awful racket if not done correctly or at all. Can make the car run like shit and can over shadow other noises such a loose bearings.
If you're gonna take the motor out, and spend 300 on another used engine. Why not take that 300.00 and put it towards parts to rebuild yours properly. This way you'll have assurance it was done, and done correctly without anymore surprises. I mean if you've been through 2 motors already, another job will be 3. That is a lot of work and down time. might as well take it out, and have a spare in case. You can do a partial rebuild on the cheap. just check tolerances and gap to make sure they aren't excessive. I had excessive bearing lash on my 318is so rather then pull the motor, my buddy dropped the oil pan and pulled the main bearings from underneath and replaced them. all in a few hours work.

[Gruelius]

anyone know a definate or at least probable cause for on at EXACTLY 2krpm-ish.

ive heard it on "good" m20's. wrote it off as normal.

[priapism]

Are you running the stock oil cooler? Seems some people "upgrade" to a larger oil cooler for track use and end up with low oil pressure. Kaboom.

[jlevie]

Are you running the stock oil cooler? Seems some people "upgrade" to a larger oil cooler for track use and end up with low oil pressure. Kaboom.

Unless you do something wrong, an upgrade of the oil cooler will have no affect of oil pressure.

[Gruelius]

nah no oil cooler. i had a blown out oil pressure sender for a while.

[7pilot]

To me , a light tapping within a small range of engine speed, says...Spun rod bearing.

m

[5Toes]

Mine just started doing this too. I have been babying it, keeping it under 3000 revs. But only 30 miles on it

[cabriodster87]

anyone know a definate or at least probable cause for on at EXACTLY 2krpm-ish.

ive heard it on "good" m20's. wrote it off as normal.

After my last oil change /valve adjustment mine was doing the "smooth until 2k then rattle like hell". (for example, a derelict shopping cart wheel that is having a seizure.) lol I thought maybe i had miss adjusted the valves due to worn eccentrics.

Took the cover off and all the valves were set to .014!, and every thing was blazing hot, so let it set overnight and came back to recheck and they were all where i had set them at a very tight .010 some might say its a loose .009. My observation: Condition only occurs at operating temp. No foreign material in oil

Yesterday was a top down 50 deg day and i heard it rattling coming in my driveway, so that's it i've had it. First thing is a belt and tensioner inspection while i wait on a set of valve eccentrics. I will warm it up on the ramps and listen to the dummy distributor and oil pan for clues. I will find out what is causing this "Illness" if its the last thing i do.

Thank you, Nevets


EDIT: This makes sense because i went tight this last adjustment and never had this problem before:http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...8&postcount=22
so it wont do it when cold, and i thought the valves were excessively hot when i pulled the cover.

EDIT: Readjusted valves cold .010, they were all at around .009 like i thought. A test drive produced no 2k valve chatter, what a difference, not as much power but quiet valves are welcome. YaY