So last week I finally dropped my replacement D16Z6 engine in my Del Sol. Once everything was hooked up and fluids added, she kicked right over without a hitch. Like it was surprising how quickly she started.

Anyways, after I let her run for a bit and get up to normal operating temps, I noticed a ticking sound coming from the engine. I've been able to confirm that it only happens when the engine is warm, but she seems to run just fine. The research I've done is providing mixed results. A lot of people are blaming the lifters, oil, shotty gas(which it currently is, after sitting in the woods for a year) or timing being off, while some are blaming a spun rod bearing.

Obviously I'm hoping it's not a rod bearing, but knowing my luck that's what it'll end up being.

If any of you have a couple of minutes, I took a quick video attempting to catch the sound. If any of you have any ideas, I would be greatly appreciative of any help.

Thanks in advance.

 

I would blame this on noisy lifters but I am still figuring out the Honda engines myself. Mine does this too, runs fine, just a little noisy when warm and almost sounds like the timing belt is too tight- slight whine at mid-level and up RPM (although it isn't too tight at all) **shrug**

 

So on Friday, I stuck a strong magnet on the oil drain plug and ran some motor flush in the engine, then drained the oil over said magnet to see if I could find any metal shavings. The oil was clean and clear(as clear as motor oil could be anyways), and I crawled under the car while it was running to see if I could hear if the ticking was coming from the oil pan, but it didn't seem to be.

After I added fresh oil and let it run for a few mins, I noticed the ticking was barely noticeable while idling and was a little bit quieter when I gave her some gas. A mechanic friend said it sounded like a valve adjustment was needed after watching the video, and once I told him the steps I took on Friday, he is definitely sure that is all it is. I'm currently waiting on my feelers so I can get them all adjusted. After that, it's getting the header y-pipe correctly aligned and I shouldn't have any other engine noise other than vroom.

 

Oh, guess I forgot to update this thread!

Once I got my feelers in, I popped the valve cover off and went over the valve clearances, then double and triple checked my work.

She is sounding so much happier now!

I set the Intake to .007
and the Exhaust to .009