350x issue??? NEED HELP

[Super350]

so i had been noticing my engine starting to have a constant tick, like the valves were getting louder. Then when reved up in idle, when you let off the throttle it would tick considerably louder for a few seconds then back to the constant quieter chatter. During a recent ride i went to take off from neutral and when i let the clutch out i heard 2 loud clank/snaps and the engine died. i slowly kicked it over twice with no compression and on the 3rd attempt it locked up solid. I tried jump starting it by rolling down a hill and jamming it into 2nd gear. The bike did not start but it freed the kicker. I kicked it over and it started and idled just like normal. about one min. later down the trail i heard more snaps and then loud clank clank clank continuously until i hit the kill switch.
What i know:
1) will shift through all gears and go into neutral
2) kicker is free and has good compression
3) pulled valve/head cover off and cam and rockers look great and cam chain guides are not snapped in half
4) the cam chain tensioner moves in when screwed and pushes back out when released

that being said the cam chain tensioner basically max's out and chain guide seems like its pushed right into the chain about as far as it could be. Im thinking maybe the cam chain itself is stretched out??? Any thoughts would be great but please dont guess, talk from experience. I've had this trike for about a year and haven't replaced anything in the motor, so this could be the original chain. Thanks

[SWIGIN]

Did you check your valve clearence?

I'd bet that it's a tad loose

[Super350]

the valves are out a bit im sure, but this is a very loud clacking noise.valves give more of a tick. This sounds almost like the tensioner guide is getting slapped around

[Dirtcrasher]

Thats an odd one. I initially would have said that your valve adjustment nut came loose and fell into the head/valve area.

But, those noises don't sound good. You could have still dropped that adjustment nut and it would still allow the valve to close (compression) but how does it run? Yet you said you pulled the cover.

IDK, I'm lost, the only other breakage aarea is in the shift return pin but you'd notice that in shifting.

Otherwise, unless a knucklehead had his claws in there, I can't image what would make that type of noise yet you still have good compression and all seems well.

You may wish to drain the oil and take off the clutch cover and take a look inside as well as the decompression release mechanism as a whole......

It does sound like you were low on oil and the valves could have been loose but I think there are other issues. Is this a fresh tight motor or one that has seen better days.

You aren't buds with BCredneck are you??

[SWIGIN]

the valves are out a bit im sure, but this is a very loud clacking noise.valves give more of a tick. This sounds almost like the tensioner guide is getting slapped around

So your saying you didn't even check your valve clearence?

Wow...........

[Super350]

So your saying you didn't even check your valve clearence?

Wow...........

this is not the valves making this noise

[jon jon]

i had the same problem. but after taking the motor apart. i realized i had a few problems. my rockers were loose, timin chain was stretched, and my valves were loose. check any of these problems

[200]

That sounds like a major valve issue because you engine wouldnt just make ticking noises and lock up if that wasnt the case also the cam chain is the other problem.

[Dirtcrasher]

The 83-85 200X always seem to need a new timing chain and guides. Tick tick tick...

I have not seen that in the 350X unless it is all clapped out...........

[Super350]

just checked the timing and its right on the money, so i dont think the chain jumped.