Gotcha. And I beat you to that link. I saw it 2 weeks ago when I ordered my feeler gauges, That is actually the guide I was gunna use

 

Ok now what. All the valves are now in spec. I put it all back together, still ticking. it all still sounds the same. I have seen in other forms that it could be a cam chain? I dont have the experience for that though. What do you think it could be

 

It could be that you have bearings loose to cam chain. But if you did it correctly I'd start looking into doing a compression and leak down and starting to diagnose from there!

 

Have you checked the cam chain tentioner? Also check the bottom of the adjuster pins where they make contact with the valve to make sure they are smooth and worn evenly. Try tightening the valves up a little and see if there is improvement. If you have to do a chain, its not to awful.Im sure if you look around on here you will find info on how to do it. Do yourself a favor and get a 450 chain though.

 

My experience has been all of the 400ex trick like a ****. My old ex would tick the same even when the valves were out of spec. A cam chain on the way out wont sound like the valves. While cam chains will stretch its not that common with the ex models. I would ride it.

 

I made a discovery today. I have been away on vacation with my wife, then we went to see her parents. Got back Sunday, and today I have time to work on the bike. Well low and behold, I crank her up and the ticking is gone!! But as soon as I gave it gas she started ticking right way. Is there a certain thing that could be? I am tearing down the motor this weekend for all new gaskets and valves seals, rings, the metal thing on top of the valve spring, and cleaning everything. Then I am putting a clutch in it, and she will be ready for a summer full of beating. But like I said, anything you think it would be?

 

Just curious, did you check the screen in the motor and the strainer in line at bottom of resi. Sounds like debris settled and when you fired it it was getting full oil till it sucked up debris again. Just a thought. When I was new at this I lost two motors because of the strainer being clogged with clutch fibers.

 

Could be piston slap from a light seizure. Check the skirt for damage and check it's size when you get the cylinder off.