I've never had an engine with solid lifters, so maybe I'm not used to the sound. I test drove an Elky with a built 327, and the lifter noise was more than I expected. It was mainly a good healthy, rythmic mechanical sound, nothing bad, but I never expected so much noise from under the vavle covers. First, is the noise normal for solid lifters? And second, what is the advantage of solid over hydraulic lifters?

yes, solid lifters are noisey. The advantage's are many. The cam can be ground with faster ramps for broader toque curve, solid lifters do not rely on oil pressure to keep them pumped up(no bleed down) which causes lost cam lift, solid lifters are far less likely to cause "valve float", solid lifters usually dont have a high rpm limit-it's tough to get hydraulics to live past 5500 or so. Just a few of the pro's-only con is having to do lash adjustments.

You will get higher RPM's out of your motor (if your motor is built right)...but if the car is being driven daily on the street, your probably not going to get the full benefit out of them. They are designed to help attain RPM's over 5500, if you don't have an engine built to operate above 5500, there's really no reason to run them...rarely will a street motor operate over 5500. You'd more than likely be better off with hydraulic lifters or hydraulic roller lifters with an appropriate cam. And don't mix hyd lifters with a solid lifter cam or vice versa. Unless your engine is built using forged pistons, rods, and crank, IMO theres no need for a solid lifter cam.

Thank you very much for the info. :) Makes sense about the noise. I'm kinda wondering why someone would put an engine like that in a street car, though. I guess the only way to find that out is to track down the builder. Easier said than done, because that was 2 owners ago. :-(