What is this sound? Buick 350 tick (video)

Engines wont ping at idle, theres no load, so rule that out.
Piston slap would be way louder than what your hearing, rule that out too.
Wrist pin, doubt that too.
You say the sound is coming from the TOP of cylinder #7, I'd pull the valve cover.

 

I figured as much about the pinging - It never sounded like that either. By top of cylinder I mean I stuck the stethoscope in and around where the sparkplug sits. When I put it on the valve cover in that area it was all smooth.
I am definitely going to pull the cover. I'll upload a video with the pushrods marked up too.

 

Here is the video with the valve cover removed. I marked the pushrods to see them spin. Its not all that fast, but the oiling seems okay. Does it look like it's fully actuating?



This sound coming from the cylinder can be best heard when putting the stethoscope on the either the area around the sparkplug or on the intake manifold right around the mounting bolt in the rear corner... Listening to it more, the sound coming from the video is definitely different than the one coming from the cylinder.. the one from the cylinder isn't even audible without the stethoscope.

As for the one in the video, it sounds like it may be coming from the lower section of the timing cover once the car has been out and running..

 

The pushrods will spin rather slow, they don’t zing around.
Oiling looks fine

 

After looking at that I really dont think its valvetrain related. I think if I can pull the pan, that would be my next place to check. I'm going to try this tomorrow.. I think I should be able to check the number 7 cylinder for either rod/wrist pin. I've seen people say its possible to drop the pan with the engine in the car, but also that it's easier to take the whole engine out. Anyone try to do this before?

 

Got to jack up the motor to get the pan out I have done it but it is not easy.
Your valvetrain is probably normal after warming up, I have been listening this for over 20+ after car is warmed up.

Rod knocks are very low if it is that and usually you can hear that from inside the car when you rev just past idle.
You could put adjustable pushrods in it and see if you can take the ticking out if you think it is a problem.
It will tick on startup if there is a problem with the lifters.

You got lots of oil pressure, drive it.

 

Yeah, I think your chasing your tail here, looking for something wrong, when actually there isnt or if there is, its VERY minor

 

Everything sounds fine.
Burn some rubber

 

The irregularity of the sound makes me think of the timing chain.

 

Drive it. If something is going to break, when that happens just fix it.

 

That’s what I’d do too, then IF something breaks, it will be obvious

 

Believe me I'd love to say screw it and drive it - it really doesn't sound catastrophic. I do have a second (1970) block, crank, rods, and heads that I'd be able to build up in the meantime...but I'd love to not have to do that this summer hahaha.

Before I call off the search I want to throw one last video your way and see what people think - I rigged up the stethoscope to a microphone and connected that to my camera. The videos show the sound coming from cylinder 7 when places in the sparkplug pocket at idle and while revving. As a control I put it on one of the other cylinder's sparkplug pocket. really sounds like nothing I've heard.
REVVING

IDLE

 

Do you hear anything when your driving?
Seriously if you need a stethoscope to hear a FAINT ticking I’m sure your fine

 

Yep, put the stethoscope away.
I installed a mechanical water temp gage with a metal capillary line that brought sound from the engine into the interior. Tried putting rubber hose on it for insulator, still have the sound. Screw it.....

 

It is very FAINT, but yes barely audible while driving and even still it could be a number of things. Screw it.. We will see what happens and if anything does, then I'll have an excuse to build my 70 block and heads up.

 

Better pull it it’s gonna blow

There yah go!
I read somewhere that as soon as an engine is taken beyond stock such as cam, headers, and such there is a chance it’s not going to be dead silent like factory. With headers you can hear the high pressure exhaust pulse leave the cylinders verses cast iron.
Some cams SLAM the valves back onto their seats verses a stock cam, heavier springs aggravate the issue.
Some noises you hear are normal and won’t affect anything

 

ever check the fuel pump?

 

When the rod goes nothing will be good, paper wts. that's it

 

No - I have an electric fuel pump.

 

Well everyone, I caved and pulled the motor. The sound got a little worse over the course of a few months. Cylinder 7 was making a tapping sound. This may be the cause.