Valves... those ticking valves

[99ImprezaOSport]

Ok I recently did a head & clutch job on 1999 Impreza OB Sport 2.2l EJ223. For the most part everything went smoothly, except for the lost down time. I set the valves before the engine was dropped back into the car.

 

On the first start the engine started right up, I mean right up. Clean, quiet, and absolutely no smoke. then after a few minutes the tick, tick, tick started. I figured with all the changes to the heads, there must have been some seating and normal break-in. I drove the car for a week and then readjusted the valves, BTW the driver side is quite a tight fit getting the VC off.

 

Anyway, when I reset the valves I set them down to min specs. (Spec is .2mm in .25mm ext +- .02), I went with .18mm in .23mm ext) Well the engine is quieter, though I feel the valves are still ticking a little too, much =] I've got 190K on the car and using 5w-30 valvoline. I had the heads done at a well respected machine shop, which of the heads I have had done before the job looked top notch. They recommended what to replace, 8 valves which got bent (timing belt broke from idler pulley bearing seized) or were worn.

 

While I was doing this job I also replaced:

Clutch Kit - ACT Performance Street Disk SB2-HDSS

Lightened flywheel - ACT Streetlite Xact Flywheel 600185

Oil Separator Plate *Aluminum*

Rear Main, yes unfortunately both the rear main and Baffle were leaking.

Oil Pan gasket (Ultra Grey)

Idler Pulleys

Water Pump

Cam seals

Head Gasket Sets

Timing belt covers & Seals

Plugs & Wires

Lots of elbow grease

 

The car previously was quiet, even with all those miles. Other than the valves the car runs strong, Should I run it for another 1k and readjust? Is there a way to retrofit hydraulic valves on these heads? Like the commercial says, set it and forget it =]

 

Suggestions for the ticking valves or possible other problems I might have overlooked?

 

Complete Job in pictures is at:

www.edwardsatterfield.com/car

[idosubaru]

Not being hydraulic, I'm doubtful they'll quiet down on their own.

 

On the hydraulic actuated older stuff the good news was that the ticking is not detrimental to the engine, hopefully the same is true of this style as well?

 

If it didn't do it before and does it now then something is amiss. I'd wonder what some of the folks more knowledgeable with head rebuilds has to say - about valves, seats, head work, machine work, etc?