LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

LOUD valve clatter on p.side

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Old 12-02-2015, 05:58 PM
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Default LOUD valve clatter on p.side

Hey everybody, I got a problem here and I really need some guidance. I just finished doing a complete top end job on a 94 Formula with an LT-1 and when I give it throttle in park or in gear it emits loud valve clatter like it has bad gas or something but the sound seems to be localized to the passenger side bank of the motor. It also sounds like it's only one cylinder making the noise. Other symptoms are slightly rough idle and hard starting like the starter is fighting too much compression. There's also a tap on that side like a loose rocker but I've already readjusted them a third time and it's still there only not quite as much. the motor itself has 150,000 miles on the bottom end and the original lifters, pushrods and rockers. Everything is pretty much stock except for a couple of bolt ons. Any ideas?
Old 12-02-2015, 06:33 PM
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Let me amend part of my original post. I just test drove it down the highway and back and I think the valve clatter is on all eight cylinders so before I move forward on that part, let me open that tank up and find out what kind of crap I'm pumping into my motor. Maybe it does have water or something in it. But I'd still like to know why I can't seem to quiet that one lifter. What are the symptoms of a failed lifter?
Old 12-02-2015, 08:36 PM
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Pull the valve covers and run it and listen. These don't squirt a ton of oil so you are find to run it at idle without valve covers to listen to it. It sounds to me like you are way loose on your rockers, how did you tighten them? What was your "top end job"? New rockers? Heads? What did you play with?
Old 12-03-2015, 01:39 AM
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I bet the rockers are way loose
Old 12-03-2015, 12:25 PM
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Bad gas is not going to cause valve chatter. Sounds like the rockers are not adjusted right.
Old 12-03-2015, 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by quicksilver95
I just finished doing a complete top end job on a 94 Formula with an LT-1 and when I give it throttle in park or in gear it emits loud valve clatter like it has bad gas or something but the sound seems to be localized to the passenger side bank of the motor.


the motor itself has 150,000 miles on the bottom end and the original lifters, pushrods and rockers. Everything is pretty much stock except for a couple of bolt ons. Any ideas?
so what exactly did you replace/do when you say "did a complete top end job"

as you later say you have stock rockers???

explain your process of adjusting valves and finding "zero lash"
Old 12-03-2015, 09:23 PM
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Pull the valvecovers. If the rockers are loose you will see and feel the pushrods spinning while its running. Stick your hands in there and feel the pushrods. That's the only way to eliminate the rockers as the culprit.
Old 12-04-2015, 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by bufmatmuslepants
Pull the valvecovers. If the rockers are loose you will see and feel the pushrods spinning while its running. Stick your hands in there and feel the pushrods. That's the only way to eliminate the rockers as the culprit.
Actually, every thing spins while the motor is running. Except for the lifters since they're roller. Pull the valve cover and set the valves hot. (while its running) and you will be able to tell very easily when the rockers are at zero lash.
Old 12-06-2015, 09:49 AM
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Yea but the pushrods should not be spinning, if they are they are loose.
Old 12-06-2015, 01:25 PM
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Believe what you would like
Old 12-06-2015, 06:23 PM
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What are you talking about?



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