Question: Lifter Ticking Question

Fastdaddy · 10-31-2009, 07:44 PM

I just recently completed a cam, head, upgrade on an engine with around 109K on it. I have had no issues with ticking until I put it back together. I did have the stock LS! heads milled .0025 and am using stock length 7.4 comp rods. I did not replace the oem lifters which was dumb....Do yall feel that the ticking is a lifter issue? I have check all rocker arm and they are tight. Thoughts?

Redphoenix1998 · 11-02-2009, 12:44 PM

Are your rocker arms torqued to 26 ft lbs and did you use loctite? Lifters also may not be pumping up all the way

***0rion*** · 11-03-2009, 11:52 AM

is it a tick or sewing machine sound?

Hi-Po · 11-03-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redphoenix1998

Are your rocker arms torqued to 26 ft lbs and did you use loctite? Lifters also may not be pumping up all the way

Pretty sure its 22 ft lbs, and not using Loctite is a easy way to get a ticking noise. How long has the ticking gone on for after the H/C install?

bigrondownhiller · 11-03-2009, 03:08 PM

Are you positive that it is not a slight exhaust leak?

Vexzer · 11-03-2009, 03:33 PM

It's been my experience that changing cam & springs on the LS motors creates a noisy valve train.
Watch out if the noise changes though. I just replaced my cam [$420], lifters [$896], plus full gasket set, etc. on my '02 SS. Did it myself in the garage. What happened was I heard a slight squeal one morning on startup. Shut it off and dug into the motor until I found the cam was eroding and lifter rollers brinelling. I don't know if it was caused by high spring pressures or defective materials. Motor has about 80K on it now, cam was put in at about 35K.

I don't believe factory calls for thread-locker on the rocker bolts, none was found on disassembly. [Where did that info come from?]
How would not using thread-locker cause a ticking? I mean short of leaving a bolt loose, which would not be a thread-locker issue. [?]

guitarjay76 · 11-05-2009, 01:14 AM

This probably has nothing to do with this thread, but, I installed a GMS mass airflow sensor & housing awhile back, and was getting a horrible clatter at high rpms. I took it to the local GM dealer, and they said it was piston slap noise,(which they also said was common for the ls1 cars). I went back to the stock sensor, (at the advice of some members here) and have been fine since. Thanks to everyone who saved me a lot of trouble and cash in the long run... It is greatly appreciated.

Fastdaddy · 11-05-2009, 05:14 AM

Thanks for responding everyone. Sorry have been out, couldn't respond. The ticking seems to have resolved itself for now. I'm really going with a lifter that did not preload correctly. I did all the install and torques correct. I did get to check torque on rocker, which where fine. No exhaust leaks, but I do understand the extra valvetrain noise, that I can hear. It probably would have been a good idea to replace lifters on build, and may still consider. Right now I'm more concerned with the stock 10 bolt after this build than anything. Thanks

9t8z28 · 11-05-2009, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vexzer

It's been my experience that changing cam & springs on the LS motors creates a noisy valve train.
Watch out if the noise changes though. I just replaced my cam [$420], lifters [$896], plus full gasket set, etc. on my '02 SS. Did it myself in the garage. What happened was I heard a slight squeal one morning on startup. Shut it off and dug into the motor until I found the cam was eroding and lifter rollers brinelling. I don't know if it was caused by high spring pressures or defective materials. Motor has about 80K on it now, cam was put in at about 35K.

I don't believe factory calls for thread-locker on the rocker bolts, none was found on disassembly. [Where did that info come from?]
How would not using thread-locker cause a ticking? I mean short of leaving a bolt loose, which would not be a thread-locker issue. [?]

Using thread lock is a given especially w/ aluminum heads.

Redphoenix1998 · 11-05-2009, 10:47 AM

Good to hear buddy. And yes Blue threadlocker is a given. I've had too many rocker bolts back out on me before because of the steel bolt heat expansion rate not being as much as the aluminum around it.

10-31-2009, 07:44 PM	#1
Fastdaddy Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: clinton, ms Posts: 47 1999 Trans Am WS6 Pewter	Lifter Ticking Question I just recently completed a cam, head, upgrade on an engine with around 109K on it. I have had no issues with ticking until I put it back together. I did have the stock LS! heads milled .0025 and am using stock length 7.4 comp rods. I did not replace the oem lifters which was dumb....Do yall feel that the ticking is a lifter issue? I have check all rocker arm and they are tight. Thoughts?

11-05-2009, 01:14 AM	#7
guitarjay76 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: onaway,MI Posts: 88 2000 Z28 black	noise response This probably has nothing to do with this thread, but, I installed a GMS mass airflow sensor & housing awhile back, and was getting a horrible clatter at high rpms. I took it to the local GM dealer, and they said it was piston slap noise,(which they also said was common for the ls1 cars). I went back to the stock sensor, (at the advice of some members here) and have been fine since. Thanks to everyone who saved me a lot of trouble and cash in the long run... It is greatly appreciated.

11-02-2009, 12:44 PM	#2
Redphoenix1998 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NorCal Age: 29 Posts: 1,883 H/C WS6 wanna play?	Are your rocker arms torqued to 26 ft lbs and did you use loctite? Lifters also may not be pumping up all the way

11-03-2009, 11:52 AM	#3
*0rion* Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: ohio Age: 40 Posts: 18,348 06 duramax 98 Formula	is it a tick or sewing machine sound?

11-03-2009, 03:08 PM	#5
bigrondownhiller Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Age: 34 Posts: 2,415 1996 camaro z28 vert Black	Are you positive that it is not a slight exhaust leak?

11-03-2009, 03:33 PM	#6
Vexzer Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Say-town Posts: 159 2002 SS Fire	It's been my experience that changing cam & springs on the LS motors creates a noisy valve train. Watch out if the noise changes though. I just replaced my cam [$420], lifters [$896], plus full gasket set, etc. on my '02 SS. Did it myself in the garage. What happened was I heard a slight squeal one morning on startup. Shut it off and dug into the motor until I found the cam was eroding and lifter rollers brinelling. I don't know if it was caused by high spring pressures or defective materials. Motor has about 80K on it now, cam was put in at about 35K. I don't believe factory calls for thread-locker on the rocker bolts, none was found on disassembly. [Where did that info come from?] How would not using thread-locker cause a ticking? I mean short of leaving a bolt loose, which would not be a thread-locker issue. [?]

11-05-2009, 05:14 AM	#8
Fastdaddy Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: clinton, ms Posts: 47 1999 Trans Am WS6 Pewter	Thanks for responding everyone. Sorry have been out, couldn't respond. The ticking seems to have resolved itself for now. I'm really going with a lifter that did not preload correctly. I did all the install and torques correct. I did get to check torque on rocker, which where fine. No exhaust leaks, but I do understand the extra valvetrain noise, that I can hear. It probably would have been a good idea to replace lifters on build, and may still consider. Right now I'm more concerned with the stock 10 bolt after this build than anything. Thanks

11-05-2009, 10:47 AM	#10
Redphoenix1998 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NorCal Age: 29 Posts: 1,883 H/C WS6 wanna play?	Good to hear buddy. And yes Blue threadlocker is a given. I've had too many rocker bolts back out on me before because of the steel bolt heat expansion rate not being as much as the aluminum around it.