Suzuki: valve chatter, valve lifters, mechanical valve

Question
hey scotty,
the engine trouble turned out to be a timing belt that had jumped some knotches when it got chewed up by the crank belt that backed out.  Anyway i checked the valve lashings before i knew what the problem was, and made sure they were right.  The car is running well now, good oil and temp, at idle though you notice a slight ticking coming from the engine that my dad says is the mechanical valve lifters.  Are they supposed to be that audible, or should you not hear them?
thanks, and take it easy,
Geoff

Answer
There should be some audible clicking from the lifters.  It's better to be on the side of slightly loose than slightly tight, even though that causes the click to be a little louder.  Adjust them to spec, and then listen to them and calibrate your ear to recognize that as normal correct lifter noises.
scotty