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Continue chasing noises on my LS1 with 155K or rebuild??

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Old Dec 31, 2012 | 03:40 AM
  #1  
Rocktagon's Avatar
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Default Continue chasing noises on my LS1 with 155K or rebuild??

The LS1 in my car has 155,000 miles on it. I came across a great deal with a local guy who fully rebuilt an LS1 and has it for sale ($1100) It's a 98, mine is a 99. I'm battling with some Ticking borderline knocking noises from what seem to be on the top end right now but it still runs great. Instead of chasing the noises by throwing money at new parts which I'm not sure will fix the problem perhaps it's time for a rebuild, or purchase the above rebuilt motor.

Pros on original engine=
Still has strong oil pressure (40 at idle, 65+ at higher rpms)
Has minor cam, LS2 timing chain, LS2 lifter trays, High Pressure Oil pump, LS6 springs and minor head porting & valve job. Everything mentioned is only 2 years old.

Cons on original=
Has high mileage
Finding metal on oil plug
Strange knocking/ticking

The Rebuilt motor is completely stock

Just looking for some opinions. Would you guys keep getting Lifters, arms, pushrods, etc to see if it quiets down (I believe the noise is lifter related) and run it until it dies of old age and seriously needs an overhaul? Or, buy this fresh LS1 for $1100, possibly swap the aftermarket parts and call it a day???

Last edited by Rocktagon; Dec 31, 2012 at 04:02 AM.
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Old Dec 31, 2012 | 04:46 AM
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I would buy the rebuilt engine and swap all the aftermarket stuff over. I would double check everything before you reuse them.
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Old Dec 31, 2012 | 01:56 PM
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Id buy a spare motor and keep rocking the one thats in there.
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Old Dec 31, 2012 | 06:04 PM
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i just posted a thread titled bad lifter has pics of what i found in mine only 12000 on the motor. the car ran fine never knew there was a problem just made a light tick noise like exhaust leak then began to squeak found a piece of a lifter broke off then the roller started wobble. the only damages are the one lifter and the cam but it could have been worse. its cheaper to rebuild now then possibly have to start from scratch later.
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Old Dec 31, 2012 | 09:16 PM
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check your rocker arm bearings ,any excessive play in the rocker arms ?
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Old Jan 1, 2013 | 04:33 AM
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"Finding metal on oil plug"

This plus the fact that you have a tick tells me you need to tear that motor down and rebuild it.
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Old Jan 1, 2013 | 05:49 PM
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Bearing going out. Rebuild or buy rebuilt
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Old Jan 12, 2013 | 11:57 AM
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I bought the rebuilt motor guys and it looks great. In the process of swapping now, just waiting for my cam to be polished up since it had slight wear and will be used with new lifters. Oil pump however.... My melling has some wear on the gears, rebuilt motor has a brand new stock pump in it. Leaning towards a rebuild kit for the melling and swapping unless I'm being paranoid and the stock pump will be fine. I just hate disturbing gaskets and seals if I don't have to but since this motor has never been run do you think re-using the metal gaskets will not be a problem? I just want that oil pan to be leak free since I battled with that on the last motor and don't plan on pulling the engine again for a LONG time
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