I couldn't even begin to assume where the noise comes from
One cool thing I have heard is a buddies NHRA Stock Eliminator cars, he has several. When he shuts off the engine you can hear the vacuum in the crankcase! It is crazy. He is proud of his well-sealed $20k engines for sure. They are not allowed a vacuum pump, this is all done with a "normal" PCV system, it's crazy. But I guess for that kind of money I would want my shit perfectly sealed too!
You must have stopped here overnight when I put my wives engine back in her race car. I just know it!
I started it up to start the break-in process, typical bracket car, electric water pump, dual electric fans. I was filling it with water and that fucker is shooting water out of the radiator like I have a cracked block! I'm like what the fuck! I just spent $8k rebuilding this piece of shit and somehow something serious is wrong!
And to make it stranger, when I lowered the rpm the water fountain GOT WORSE!
Remember, this is an electric water pump.........
I was just thinking of all the shit you have been through. I finished filling it, it stopped the geyser action. Got it hot, shut it off, walked away. Came back 4 hours later, start it up again, no geyser. Put the radiator pressure tester on there, would slowly build pressure as it got hot, very normal. Shut it off, held pressure for a few hours.
So that the fuck............. Put 6 passes on it last month, car was perfect!
A good friend that works on all kinds of shit, including boilers, told me there was probably oil or something still in the water jacket that caused this geyser. I don't know, but the thing is fine.
Hopefully yours comes around too!
And you're right, that first set of lifters made the clearance you need for the new set. Good luck!