Thanks for all the replies. Checked clearances a couple of times, everything within specs. Cams in proper locations, grooved intake in back, timing marks with dots and dashes just like pictures- didn't turn engine with cams out, oil pump pumping like crazy thru all 4 caps- made a mess. Oiled everything liberally during re-assembly to the point I was almost overful (top mark in sightglass). Metric feeler guages with inch micrometer- used Dinqua's converter to calculate new shim size and they all fell within specs first try. Had both left intakes loose and both right exhausts loose. After noise quit, the thing ran great. A little quieter than before valves adjusted. Ran around town last night, idled at a couple of long red lights, up to 95 (indicated) on I-10, no problems. It hasn't been started for about a month, didn't want to ride until I checked clearances and have been working 7 days a week. Maybe something was too dry and it just took a while for oil to get to it. Is it possible to have too much oil under bucket causing a hydrolock? Now I'm thinking too much. I'll have to leave work early and start her up.
