Last summer I found a 5.9 out of a wrecked truck. Pulled it apart, installed a mild RV/towing cam, fixed the plenum (I hope) and put in my truck in place of the 318.

Ever since its been installed, it has a lot of valvetrain noise on startup until it builds oil pressure. Unfortunately, I didn't hear it run beforehand, so I have no idea if the cam and/or install caused it. Once it builds pressure it runs pretty smooth, but still some intermittent ticking.

I got a mild cam with the goal of not needing the change anything else besides the tune. Springs are factory. I did have to buy new lifters as the factory ones were pitted pretty bad. It was my first cam install, so let's not assume I did everything right.

1st question is, is the noise anything to be worried about since it's mainly during startup. 2nd, if it's something I need to look at, where is the best place to start? I am currently using crap oil, I intend to change with a decent synthetic but I doubt it will make much of a difference.

Thoughts?

 

Any noise is a concern. Try to pinpoint where it is coming from. So you have headers on it?

 

Well it's through the whole valvetrain during startup best I can tell. No Headers, factory manifolds.

 

I also put a new factory replacement oil pump in during the swap while I was in there.

 

Headers? Could be lose exhaust bolt. Headers are known for that. Pump could be defective. Should have went with a high volume pump

 

I did some reading on the pump. I didn't gather that a high volume pump benefited my mostly stock motor at all. My conclusion could be wrong, but even so I shouldn't "need" it, right?

 

I'll go through and check manifold bolts.

 

Don't need it no, but it does help with oil pressure in an older engine

 

What lifters did you install?

 

Mopar Performance Hydraulic Roller Lifters P5249862