MannyZ28

iTrader: (1)

During my cam install, we torqued the rockers down to 22 ft/lbs, rotated the engine 180 degrees and then checked the torque again. We didn't apply the loctite though.....you're supposed to use the red one, medium strength, right?

Anyhow, valvetrain noise was there after initial startup which was to be expected, but now, after driving it for like 150 miles, it seems louder. I can stand behind the car and hear the valvetrain noise (metallic rythmic ticking/clicking) over the exhaust sound.

Do you guys think that's coz the rocker bolts loosend up, or is it my imagination because I read so much on here about ticking after a cam install? Is the loctite just extra gravy for insurance, or is it an absolute necessity?

Thanks!

Manny

HavATampa

iTrader: (49)

One way to find out is to pull the valve covers and retorque them. I didn't use loctite on my head swap because you have to use thread sealer on the intake side bolts since they penetrate in the runner. Did you do an oil pomp swap too? Is the new cam the 224 in your sig or did you go bigger?

Hardtop

iTrader: (3)

I used Loctite PST thread sealer on mine.

Bruce

MannyZ28

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I went with the TR224. And yeah, I installed an oil pump too.

The ticking I hear couldn't be caused by the wrong length pushrods, after all, I bought the complete set from Thunder Racing.

SiL3NtXWS6

iTrader: (17)

Why not just go ahead and re-do the rockers and use loctite this time? Not more than a 2 hour job if you have 2 people and know what you're doing.

Orange Peel

iTrader: (20)

I didn't loctite mine and they haven't come loose. If you swapped out new springs for the cam install you WILL notice MUCH more valvetrain noise. Going from stock to an aftermarket spring like 918's or 921's you will think there is something wrong, like a exhaust leak, or valvetrain loose, but it's not, that's just how it is and you are going to have to get used to it. It sucks, but that's the LS1 for ya

MannyZ28

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I do have the Comp918 springs. I am a worry wart though...bad trade of mine. My buddy and I are gonna recheck it, just to see if they lost any torque or not. I doubt there is anything else wrong since the install went about as smooth as it can go. And my heads are stock, and haven't been milled in any way, so the pushrod length shouldn't be an issue.

Krab

iTrader: (28)

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. I didn't put any loctite on mine and haven't had any problems with the bolts coming loose. I checked them before swapping out my springs for the second time and all were torqued within spec. As long as they were torqued to the 22 ft/lbs, don't worry about it. BTW, how do you like the cam?

Ferocity02

iTrader: (60)

I didn't loctite mine when I did my cam install, and they were all very tight after 12,000 miles (I am swapping springs today, so I would know )

MannyZ28

iTrader: (1)

I like the cam a lot...it sounds mean! The buttometer didn't measure any loss of low end torque, it feels just like before if not better, and as soon as you hit 4k....hell yeah....good stuff!

It's pretty much what I was trying to accomplish when I decided on the cam swap.

For some dumb reason I thought that putting the cam in and making it sound meaner would mean people would finally stop trying to race me (guess the hood, exhaust and big tires attracted competitors??), but I was wrong. Last night a Cavalier tried to race me!! Right after that a Taurus SHO....lol, they got the beat down fast. Some guy ina Mercury Cougar tried to be a tough guy, but when we were stopped first in line at the next red light, he just looked at me and shook his head....as in he didn't wanna race....smart boy, he got the idea.

Manny

slt200mph

iTrader: (42)

Manny you are the biggest worry wart I have ever seen...you have been fooling around with this for a week..this is the third post concering this....Just retorque the rockers and rock on man..

MannyZ28

iTrader: (1)

True, but it's the first post I actually started

eallanboggs

iTrader: (1)

Actually if you want to help keep the locktite people in business you would put thread sealant on the threads(Check and you'll see that only one bolt per cylinder needs thread sealant. I think it's the intake bolts as they are the only ones that get exposed during the CNC process) and regular locktite under the flatwasher heads of the rocker arm bolts. You'll have all your bases covered that way.

slt200mph

iTrader: (42)

Geeeeze...

GM Muscle

iTrader: (9)

Mine have been out several times and I've never bothered to use Locktite on them. They have been fine.

If your that worried it's not really a big deal to pull them and locktite them.

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

I had properly torques cam bolts back out because I used OLD loctite. I would just pull the valve covers and apply loctite just to be safe.