We have a CTS-V with a LS6. I put a comp cam in it, new timing chain, had the heads ported and bigger vavles installed, also milled the heads 30 I believe. I went with 7.35 pushrods. Also addeds the patriot spring kit to the heads. we have a tick on the drivers side now that is pretty loud. When its cold and has been sitting for a couple weeks it is silent until it warms up. We also put full length headers on it so I know this enhances sounds but this is definitely not a consistent sound.

so far the possiblities we have are:

-Lifter
-I was told today possibly the oil pump o-ring


any other suggestions or thingsn to look at before I yank the heads back off? I can get a video of it if needed...just looking for any advices or help before I spend a lot of time and money for nothing!

 

note: I know the sewing machine sound is expected, and this is not that sound. My friend with the same setup does not have the same sound.

 

make sure the header bolts are tight as well as where they connect to your x-pipe. On my Camaro if my ypipe is loose at the back of the headers I'll have a slighly louder exhaust. If the headers are loose at the flanges I believe it is possible to get a ticking noise in that area too

 

I did put it on a lift and check the collectors and they seem ok. I will try to check the headers tomorrow, but I think they are all good. Also, the tick doesn't do it when its cold so I feel like it would do it all the time if it was an exhaust leak, but you never know

 

did u ever check the oil pressure? See if it fluctuates.

 

true

try to get a small mirror from a girl for make up and put it along the header flanges and if you see a spot above a port with black(I guess carbon) That is an exhaust leak. I had one of these on my car when I first installed my headers. take a Cresent wrench to tighten the bolts. That's a pretty easy way to do it.

could be something else too. Hope not.

 

was going to wait until you come by so you can hear it at the same time.


this is an old video but it is decent enough to get the idea of the tick...just seems to be the drivers side. I will get a better video tomorrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf1K9ERD8Ss

 

We're going to tear into it a little tomorrow and I'll make sure I check the headers too. you never know what it is at this point thats what makes it drive me crazy

 

try tightening the headers first, they're easy lol

let me know what it turns out to be

 

could be incorrect pushrod length also, ive narrowed my tick down to that after replacing the ENTIRE valvetrain and checked the headers/plugs/oring etc...

 

Check for a loose spark plug. I know, I know, probably not. But, I was convinced I had a lifter or rocker going bad and it eventually turned out to be a loose plug. Cheapest, easiest fix you'll ever have. Also, make sure your plug wires have a good, tight fit. You might be arcing some. Check at night for any sparks in the dark. Good luck.

 

last night we checked plugs and exhaust. we know its not a exhaust leak.


We put 7.4 pushrods in the drivers side (where the tick was) and it is gone. we only let it run for 5-10 minutes and haven't driven it but it sounded fine. I will probably do the passenger side today and give it a try. I am still not sure why it was only on one side but it seems to be ok so far....

 

let the car FULLy warm up (drive it for 20+ minutes and do a pull) then see if it ticks, the block expands .010 and will affect the noise..

 

sounds like oil pump o ring had it happen to me

 

I actual bought the o-ring yesterday and planned on putting it in, but I decided to do the easy stuff first. I'll do the other pushrods tonight and see what happens tonight.

thanks for the tips!

 

Sound like pushrods are too short. It only did it on one side because you are marginal everywhere but that side is the worst.

 

Something about a Caddy loping like that just makes me

Maybe it's because it make me think of my grandma when she still drove. She did drive like a bat out of hades though and prolly woulda liked a cammed CTS-V

 

this must have been it. Day 2 of driving it and not a sign of the noise. of course we still have the sewing machine on steroids noise! but thats expected. Looks like the 7.4 pushrods did the trick....I'm glad we tried that before we yanked the heads.