I have been suffering from a noisy valvetrain from awhile now, and it really sounds like it is coming from the rockers. I have adjusted the valves 3 or 4 times now using the EOIC method to zero lash and 1/2 turn so I no longer think this is it. Cam is a retro hyd roller using comp cams retro hyd lifters, topped off with AFR 195s and scorpion rockers. Based on this pic, my take is that one side of the valve has a bigger wear pattern than the other, which I believe is due to pushrods being too short. What do you think?

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m93/clarkbar04/chevelle%20photos/valvepattern.jpg

Jeremy,
That actually looks pretty good. The valve do rotate some over time so that may explain your pattern.

The car only ran about 10 seconds to make that pattern - does that change your opinion any? Also I'm beginning to think that black spot on the left is a nice pit or something in the valve....

The car only ran about 10 seconds to make that pattern - does that change your opinion any? .

Actually no. Ten seconds is not enough running to do anything. That pattern was probably there on the engine stand in that case. No matter what, I dont think it has anything to do with your noise.

Is it a Comp xe hyd. roller?

Actually no. Ten seconds is not enough running to do anything. That pattern was probably there on the engine stand in that case. No matter what, I dont think it has anything to do with your noise.

The black marker was applied right before the whopping ten second run.

I think I need to just learn to live with this noise. The car runs and drives real strong, guess I just need to get used to it.

Jeremy,
You should not "live with" the noise unless you are absolutely sure it is not something that will cause an engine failure. Unfortunately, these types of problems are impossible to troubleshoot without having the car or engine to look at and listen to. You really need to find someone in your area that has the experience to listen to the engine and tell you if it is ok or not. Do not ignore it !!!!! Most engine noises are an indication of problems.

Is it a Comp xe hyd. roller?

Lunati voodoo

I think the pushrods are slightly too long. In you have some money you can part with, try some shorter psuhrods, may .050 to .075 shorter. At least you can run it out then.

I just ordered some from Summit in 7.25 and 7.20. I also have a set of adj. pushrod guideplates sitting around somewhere, if worse comes to worse. I really don't want to pull the motor back out again.

I ran the xr282hr with comp retro comp rollers with the 7.300 push rods, with afr 195 heads and 160# closed seat pressure, NO issues here. I will be trading up to one of Harolds 282/290 billet rollers that have the less agressive closing ramps. I am sure I am headed into the right direction.