Hydraulic Lifter Weirdness

Several years ago I rebuilt a 460 for my '87 F-250 4x4 and it has always, from day one, had a noisey (sp) lifter. It took forever to quiet down (as quiet as it ever gets) during cam break-in. It always makes noise during cold starts and never gets quiet like the others.
I figured I must have gotten a bad lifter so a few years ago I changed them all. The noise is STILL THERE!

The engine consists of: D9TE block, .030 over Speed Pro forged pistons, stock truck rods and crank-balanced-, Comp Cams Extreme 4x4 camshaft .514-.524 lift and 218-226 dur. @.050 111 lobe sep., Big valve DOVE-C heads with Crane single springs, screw-in studs and guide plates, Harland Sharp roller rockers, Edelbrock Performer intake, Road Demon 625 carb, Hedman headers.

I do know I need different valve springs as I'm experiencing valve float around 5000-5200 rpm. I rarely rev it past about 4500 so I've been negligent and lazy in replacing the springs.

I have adjusted the valves numerous times to no avail. I'm at a loss here.

Have any of you run into anything like this? Any help or advice is much appreciated.

I see where you said you have adjusted the rockers a few times are you putting some preload on them.The roller rocker will need preload on them to on a hdro cam.

Yes sir, I am preloading. Zero lash then a quarter turn or so.

The thing is, it's the same lifter that's making the noise. The rest are all quiet. I was kinda wondering if it's the cam. Maybe one lobe got ground with a too agressive ramp or something?

The lifters I removed all looked great with no perceivable wear.

i have had the same problem with hyd. cams from lunati if i remember right it was the pass. side

quick 52 wrote:i have had the same problem with hyd. cams from lunati if i remember right it was the pass. side

Thank you quick52! I was hoping someone else had run into this. So it very well could be the cam.
The problem lifter is on the passenger side of mine too.