Hearing noise after fresh engine start-up

[Charlie Petty]

Well, engine is not totally fresh; valve job done, honed and re-ringed.  Shop told me new parts were not needed for the heads, as everything was in good shape with low wear.  

I am hearing a metallic noise that sounds like it is in the valve train on the right side of engine.  

While setting the timing, the noise got better as I advanced timing toward 5 deg. BTDC.  In other words, the more retarded the timing, the worse the noise.  

I don't hear it if I bring the engine speed up gradually, but do hear it if I blip the throttle, and I hear it while driving under mild acceleration.  

I am hoping it is an exhaust leak, which can sound very metallic.  If not, what are likely culprits based on the sypmtoms?  

Thanks much in advance

[TJ Hopland]

What year engine?  If its not hydraulic lifters you may need to recheck the valve adjustment.

An exhaust leak will usually change as things heat up.

[Otto Skorzeny]

I think he has a '56.

[Roger Zimmermann]

I may have had the same. The center gasket on the RH exhaust manifold was installed upside down on my car (they are not symetrical) and I had a terrific noise, especially when driving along a wall. A new gasket, positionned correctly, did wonder.

[Charlie Petty]

It is a '56.

I did not keep track of the lifters and rocker shafts, so they are all mixed up from original-could that cause it? 

I replaced a few pushrods- I wonder one is in upside down? 

I'll check into the exhaust gasket.  Thanks for the help so far. 

[Roger Zimmermann]

It's no good to mix such parts. The result is not noise, but quicker wear. If you have an upside down push rod, I don't know if it can generate noise, but it's not good either!

Roger

[Otto Skorzeny]

Lifters should never ever be moved from their original positions and yes that could be the source of your noise.

[Charlie Petty]

I may have had the same. The center gasket on the RH exhaust manifold was installed upside down on my car (they are not symetrical) and I had a terrific noise, especially when driving along a wall. A new gasket, positionned correctly, did wonder.

Roger- You are exactly right.  That was the problem.  Thanks! 

[Otto Skorzeny]

Excellent! It's great when a problem is easily fixed and not serious.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Roger- You are exactly right.  That was the problem.  Thanks!
You are welcome! Fortunately, sometimes the errors from ourselves can help to solve the problem for others!

Roger