Okay. I have a very annoying noise coming from the engine. Yes, I have used the search function and tried all of the fixes for valvetrain noise. I have adjusted the valves. I have changed the TCT and my oil is full and new. This is a low compression AP1 motor and AP2 head that I have built for my turbo setup, but don't have the turbo yet. The noise is a loud ticking/clacking sound, present at idle and at normal driving. When I go into VTEC, the sound goes away, merely to come right back at lower RPM's and idle. It sounds like a tractor at idle (or diesel). I have performed a compression check and all is normal. I have new spark plugs. I have new injectors that I can hear ticking separately from this sound. The car runs fine and idles normally. I can't imagine a bent valve would allow normal operation.

Please help. I am ready to scrap this head and start over...

 

man lots of complaints about this type of noise lately. Not sure what is going on, maybe people are really sensitive to these types of noise. The TCT is usually the biggest culprit but you changed it, and the clearances are the next source of such noise but you said that you adjusted them. Did you use .008 and .010 on the clearance adjustment ?, or did you go to the wider end of the spec ?.

Do a simple and inexpensive test, throw in some 5w40 motor oil and see if anything changes. Can't hurt, that's what I run and my motor sounds like a fine watch. I'd hate to see someone dump a head if everything is in good operating order, other than noise. I recently adjusted my valves using .008 and .010 as my preferred clearances (intake / exhaust). One last suggestion, I'll likely get flamed for pushing it, but running an upper cylinder lube in your fuel can help to reduce valvetrain noise. It's one other inexpensive experiment if you can get your head around using such a product.

 

Since you have done most of the necessary steps that most of us here would do to fix the problem, allow me to make a suggestion.

Why not try to remove and re-install the fuel cap to let the air out. I find that it works for me 50 percent of the time to reduce valvetrain noises. I have no idea why my cars would exhibit loud tractor-like valvetrain noise, but "burping" the gas tank immediately eliminates some of the valvetrain noises 50 percent of the time.

If that does not work for you, then you could consider using a small amount of upper cylinder lube in your fuel. Some fuel system cleaner contains upper cylinder lube to reduce valvetrain noises.

Also, check if your oil cap has any white-gooey moisture-like residue on it. That would be an indication of poor crankcase ventilation, also a culprit of poorly lubricated valvetrain.