Exidous

iTrader: (11)

Installed a TSP 228r cam, PRC stage II 5.3L heads, PRC dual springs and scorpion 1.7 roller rockers with stock lifters that have 25k miles on them. Initially I used 7.4" push rods an measured preload was.050" and .060" int/exh respectively. I changed to 7.425" push rods making the preload .075" and .085". This made the ticking better up top but it seems to have moved to lower in the engine and sounds a bit different. It changes with RPM and oil pressure is in the green. I just changes the oil as well and found no shavings in the oil filter or on the bolt.

Is this something I'll just have to deal with or should I be able to make a quite drive train on a .588" lift. Or could something more serious be wrong.

Lazy lifter or spun bearing come to mind but not quite sure how to diagnose either.

On an odd side note, do the LS7 headers bolt up to LS1 heads? The motor is in an RX-7 and the downward facing port isn't an issue. I currently have long tubes and REALLY need my ground clearance back.

twitchtwice

iTrader: (12)

any way you can post up a video?

Exidous

iTrader: (11)

I'll try to get one today.

SSilver Bullet

Does it tick with all the valve movement or is it intermitent? Both of the ls1's that I've cam'd got louder after the cam install. Pretty sure it's normal for them to tick (lifter clatter) a little louder than when they are stock, at least from my experience. I am using aftermarket lifters though.

Exidous

iTrader: (11)

It is pretty constant. Cold or warm, makes no difference. Changes with RPM.

Exidous

iTrader: (11)

Image shack ticking sound vid

KevinR

Since my cam swap, my car has had a louder "sewing machine/ticking" sound. I wouldn't stress over it too much cause I think it's just the nature of the beast. But, it would help if you could get a video of it. I will have to say, the day after we put the cam in my car, I had a lifter fail on me so I went ahead and replaced all of them.

djfury05

iTrader: (30)

sounds normal to me man.. and as far as the LS7 headers go.. I'm pretty sure they'd be D-port headers and the LS1 heads are cathedral port.. maybe a small header leak causing the ticking

z28241

iTrader: (13)

I couldnt get the link 2 work..u gotta remember that aggressive cams have aggressive ramps and they make some noise, ..btw im assuming its a 228r and not a 288r, which i dont think is available..check ur post..we all screw up once and while...

BTW!! ditch the original/stock lifters=no good, get LS7's, stock upgrade..

nightmare23

iTrader: (5)

get some new lifters .. if it were a bearing the oil pressure would be low.. could be a small exhaust leak or just louder valve train noise .. couldnt get the like to work either so just throwing things out

Exidous

iTrader: (11)

Don't really want to pull the heads again but I probably should have put in new lifters when I did the swap. The stock GM head gasket cannot be reused right? Just trying to figure out what all I need to buy. Also is .011" too much preload on the LS7 lifters? I have 7.4" and 7.425" push rods but would need 7.375" to get .085" preload.

Not too sure why the video won't work but it pops right up and my desktop and laptop. :-(

Exidous

iTrader: (11)

As far as I know only the intake ports are really different between the LS1/2 and the LS3/7's. I'd imagine the exhaust port is different but nearly as much as the intake ports.

Exidous

iTrader: (11)

So after about 6 months of just putting up with the ticking I decided to go back in, recheck the preload and decide on which lifters to go for over the LS1 lifters.

Using the EO/IC method I get .086" int and .09" exh preload. When I measured the comp cam length checker I forgot there is a bit of a flat spot on each end and was coming up with .055" and .065".

So now I have to decide on lifters to go for. The LS7's would probably require new PR's but I do have a set of 7.4's laying around. Currently using 7.425". Any suggestions?

Also, depending on where the rocker is in it's swing, the lifter is not fully tensioning up. Meaning there is some wiggle. More fodder for the new lifter purchase I suppose. Maybe I should stud the block too while I'm at it. The GM bolt tightening last time was very nerve racking.....

djfury05

iTrader: (30)

Before you go spending money read through this, https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...1-lifters.html

senicalj4579

iTrader: (41)

My car has that tapping sound to but whole engine is stock. I can really here it by the front wheels like you showed in the vid. It pisses me off because sometimes I think its a small exhaust leak.

senicalj4579

iTrader: (41)

Interesting. So someone must be wrong?

Exidous

iTrader: (11)

Well that only helps a little :-p thanks though. I still have to get lifters. Just probably not pushrods. I was doing to measure with the new lifters in anyway.

And from what I can tell is that it is a number of the lifters not fully pumping up on every cycle. If I remove the rocker and wait a few min, the lifter will fully extend and I get the preload listed above. If I bolt it down right away I get very little preload meaning the spring in the lifter isn't doing its job.