1SIKZ31

iTrader: (5)

Hey guys I just installed new my heads on my car and my engine freaking sounds like a diesel! ... If you get close to my engine (standing in front of the car) the valvetrain noise is unbelievably loud... like a ton of clattering... Heres what I got and the observations I made: (PLEASE READ ALL BEFORE REPLYING!)

Set-up:
346 Standard Deck LS1
TSP PRC Stage 2.5 5.3 Heads
Genuine LS1 Chevrolet headgaskets w/ ARP Bolts torqued to 75 ft/lbs
TSP 228R Cam 112 LSA (.588 Lift & 228 Degree Duration)
Patriot Gold Extremes (.650 Lift)
Comp Cams 7.400 hardened Pushrod
BRAND NEW LS7 Lifters (have 3,000 miles on them)
Stock Rockers
LS2 Timing Chain
25% UD Pulley
FAST 102 LSXR PTM 102 TB (Maybe this can transit more noise through?)

Engine has full of fresh oil
New Heads have 15 minutes of run time
I have no coil Bind
used a pushrod length checker and measured .080" of preload with 7.400 rods
All Rocker Arms are torqued to 22 ft/lbs (Double checked)
No check engine lights, misfires, or anything abnormal

I DO understand that the patriot gold extremes and the aftermarket cam and other aftermarket engine components can make my engine quite a bit louder than a stock LS1. But before tearing the engine apart (had 853 heads, same cam, same pushrods and lifters) the engine valvetrain still made some noise but nothing like now! The 853 heads I had on before had Patriot Golds on them, these new heads have Patriot Gold Extremes.

Any ideas guys?
What the hell is going on.

The noise is NOT a knock. It is constant clattering from the ENTIRE the valvetrain, not just a isolated noise to a single lifter/push-rod...








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Greekey

iTrader: (3)

Did you measure pushrod length correctly?

O2Form

Check to see if the pushrods are rubbing inside the holes where they come through the head, It will make a hell A noise if they are.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Brand new lifters are loud as **** if not soaked in oil, and even then can make a lot of noise. It should quiet with 10 to 15 minutes of idling.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

He said Brand New with 3,000 miles on them though, so I would think that they were either new to him, or he put them in and then did heads 3k later. So I would rule that out uinless they were just sandblasted and vat'd clean prior to install. (Which I doubt)

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Yeah I gotcha, I figured he may however be over-reacting to the new noises he is hearing. So 2 and 2 together.......Plus he said its a generalized noise.

djfury05

iTrader: (30)

Pushrods too long.. are u using mls gaskets or graphite and which was on the car before? How much are the heads milled as compared to the 853's? Get some 7.350s and try it out if you can. How many turns after zero lash before the rockers were torqued?

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

He said he measured them. Since when do we just buy $100+ pushrods and "try them out"?

RARON455

iTrader: (35)

I have Prc Heads on my stroker that have been milled, and the valvetrain noise is loud, I have a custom EPS cam .6++ lift, with morel link-bar lifters at .058 preload with my pushrods, and yella terra rockers. It is loud, When I first started it I went over everything thinking something was wrong but everything is fine. I think its just the nature of the beast, an aggressive roller cam setup is gonna make some noise as long as you are certain about your pushrod length and are certain the pushrods are not dragging in the hole,(which I highly doubt those heads have the holes enlarged) You are prolly Fine.

1SIKZ31

iTrader: (5)

I honestly dont know what to think anymore. It may be normal. I work at a dealership and everyone asked why my engine ticks so loud, and my exhaust is dumped! ... I mean it's loud but not dangerously scary or anything. I'll try to get a video clip or something soon.

The lifters are not NEW. they were ran with the new heads and never removed.

Greekey

iTrader: (3)

Did he measure them correctly, that is the question.

1SIKZ31

iTrader: (5)

We got 1 1/2 turns using the ballpark method...
I bet nothing is wrong... ?

getsum27

i used the stage 2.5 5.3 heads and the ms3 cam
and my valvetrain is very loud for my liking as well
i was on the phone with several shops who deal with ls1s and even texas speed after i got it together.....they recomended those pushrods and i told them what they measured....they said that it is fine
ive been running it like this for a while...hasnt flung apart yet so........?

GT_EATR

iTrader: (1)

I thought the LS7 lifters requires a shorter pushrod..May be incorrect on that tho. I have MS3 cam and hardened pushrods (7.400). I just purchased brand new LS7 lifters as well. Do I need shorter pushrods or can I plan on hearing alot of chatter being normal?

djfury05

iTrader: (30)

Well I meant see if one of his buddys has some he could borrow for checking out.. not going and buying a whole new set and have it not work out to fixing his problem.

Yahelou

iTrader: (23)

i have almost the same exact setup as the op. same lifters, timing chain, same size pushrods, and heads. only difference is i have a TR 230 cam and LQ9. my valvetrain is loud also. took it to a couple of mechanics that have lsx experience and they said it was alright. i guess i will have to live with it.

bayer-z28

iTrader: (14)

Here's some more reading for ya on the same subject. Good info in here about valve train noise. But ours was a knock/tick from #7.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...r-preload.html

Does the noise go away with RPMs? Whats your oil pressure? I've got similar springs (Dual gold) and mine does have a bit of clatter, but nothing abnormal. That cam should be pretty nice to the springs/valves.

And it may sound stupid, but check your plug wires. Sometimes a loose plug wire will sound loud. That snapping can be loud.

trans_am7935

iTrader: (15)

so i am about to put on some PRC heads with LS7 lifters, LS2 timing chain and an LSR cam...should i expect valvetrain noise as well? i got the LSr cam cause the lobes are softer off the seat and is supposed to reduce valvetrain noise and abuse.

bayer-z28

iTrader: (14)

^ There will be SOME clatter. It won't be as quiet as stock.

NHRAFORMULA00

iTrader: (2)

You may have inadvertently pinched the oil pump o-ring. We did this several years ago on my sons car. It had almost normal pressure,but when pinched causes the oil to cavitate,(mix with air). Might be your problem,might not.