SBC 383, Sportman II iron heads, Edelbrock RPM airgap intake, Holley 750 marine carb, Hydraulic lifters with scorpion roller rockers. Base timing 13 degree's, total timing 33 degree's.

Light valve flutter(ticking) between 2800-3200 RPM. Disappears above.

Changed the valve springs just to be sure. I built this engine 2 years ago so I've adjusted these valves many many times.

Using the text book adjustment instructions, I brought #1 to TDC on compression. (intake was off so I could see the lifters).
Tighten rocker nut (by hand) while rotateing pushrod. When it starts feeling a drag, I tighten the rocker nut half a turn and lock it down. I followed the firing order so the crank only had to turn 1 rotation to fully adjust all valves.

When I give the rocker a half turn, the exhaust valve stays open a few thousands of an inch. If I back it off and give it a quarter turn its fine. I'm just wondering why its doing that and is a quarter turn giving enough preload. I'm concerned that preload might have been the cause of my light midrange valve flutter.

Sorry for the book guys, just wanted to get all the info out.

Any suggestions.

After the motor is shut down, the lifters will start to bleed down (especially used ones), and only the spring in the lifter will hold up the rocker. When spinning a pushrod to feel for zero lash, you can go past it if the lifter is bleed down because the lifter spring is light. Then you add another 1/2 turn and the valve hangs open a bit.

Instead of turning the pushrod, I gently giggle the rocker arm to feel for zero lash.

Not saying this is your issue, but have seen people have trouble adjusting valves because of this.

I run 1/4 to 1/2 turn of preload.