Ticking at certain RPM range
I'm trying to determine a ticking/clicking sound coming from the engine. It's only really noticeable between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm. Most distinctive at 2,500 rpm. It tends to tick 1-2-3-4 micropause 1-2-3-4 micropause 1-2-3-4.....etc. Can't really hear so much at idle over the normal cammed LS1 sounds.

I plan to pull the valve cover later tonight, but does anybody think that this sounds like a bad rocker arm or broken valve spring? The motor runs fine, pulls hard to 6,000 rpm (fyi - I'm not revving that high until I know what the problem is). So, not sure. Any help is greatly appreciated!
**Note: Video is dark because I took this morning on iphone driving to work. Hey, at least I wasn't texting!!

I plan to pull the valve cover later tonight, but does anybody think that this sounds like a bad rocker arm or broken valve spring? The motor runs fine, pulls hard to 6,000 rpm (fyi - I'm not revving that high until I know what the problem is). So, not sure. Any help is greatly appreciated!
**Note: Video is dark because I took this morning on iphone driving to work. Hey, at least I wasn't texting!!
I am having the exact same thing with my LS6. I had excessive valvetrain noise and shortened my pushrods. Now I can hear this tick with semi quiet valvetrain. It is more pronounced from underneath the car. I'm scared it's premature rod knock or spun bearing.
How's your oil pressure? I would think with a spun bearing, you'd be losing oil pressure. My pressure has been consistent since I built the motor.
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Well, I had the same issue 2 weeks ago, I just finished the job today, for me it was a cam with ruts in it, I did my valve springs, lifters, polished heads, cam and pushrods since I was down to my lifters looking for the issue.. here are the links to my threads, might shed some light on your situation... it did sound simular. good luck
-Initial thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...l#post13968845
Determination thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...you-think.html
Hope it helps,
Ian
-Initial thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...l#post13968845
Determination thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...you-think.html
Hope it helps,
Ian
If you have paper header gaskets start there. I had a ticking that I swore was internal, and ended up being just a header gasket.
Get the multilayered steel gaskets if you dont have them. FWIW.
Get the multilayered steel gaskets if you dont have them. FWIW.
Pulled the valve cover on the driver's side and found the exhaust valve tip on #1 cylinder has been scored. I'm thinking this is the problem. Here's the link to my other thread with pictures of the valve tip:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ng-engine.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ng-engine.html
Pulled the valve cover on the driver's side and found the exhaust valve tip on #1 cylinder has been scored. I'm thinking this is the problem. Here's the link to my other thread with pictures of the valve tip:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ng-engine.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ng-engine.html
Pulled the heads and found two lifters chewed-up (I'll post pictures when I get them downloaded). One lifter is significantly worse than the other and the corresponding cam lobe is also bad. I'm going to pull the cam out this week and see if it can be salvaged. Really don't feel like spending more money!!
I'm sure the cam is no good, if you use it with new lifters it will fail again. Usually that's caused by not getting oiled properly, so you need to make sure the oil passages are clear before you install a new cam and lifters.










