escessive lifter noise big block

[studebakester]

Hey folks. I just acquired a running 455 engine and TH400 trans to transplant into my 65 Le Mans (which I would like to sell..I'll post it in the classifieds)
This engine, however has a lot of lifter noise, like they aren't getting oiled. I'm not sure at this point if the lifters are pumping up or not, there doesn't seem to be much oil to the rockers, though.
I was reading something in an old National Service Data book (1955) about oil plugs in the cylinder heads. anybody know anything about these? Could this be the source of an oiling issue to the rockers?
I'm not really all that familiar with these engines so any help would be greatly appreciated. db

 

[melsg5]

a stock valve train on a Pontiac has its rocker arm nuts torqued to 30 foot pounds if it's a hydraulic lifter cam. Are you sure a stock cam is in the engine? Do you know what oil pressure the engine has? Does it have the stock 6 quart pan and is it filled?

 

[Goat Man 32]

I have run into the same problem on my 1966 389 engine. There are two threaded oil galley plugs on Pontiac big blocks. If you look at the back of your block, you will see one of the plugs on the driver side just to right of where the cam would be. The other one is not visible unless you remove the freeze plug that is to the left of where the Cam would be. The machine shop forgot to install the passenger side plug on my engine, and therefore I was not getting enough oil to my lifters. If the engine and trans are sitting in the car, the best way check whether or not the plug is installed is to pull the distributer, put your finger in the hole, and feel back toward the passenger side head. If you feel a threaded hole, then the plug is not in. Another way to check is to turn the oil pump shaft with a drill and shop made bit. While priming the oil pump, look down the whole and look for a steam of oil shooting back toward where the distributer would be. If you see the steam of oil shooting back, then you also know that the plug is missing. I hope that this helps.