Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

New 408 Clicking Noise

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 6, 2013 | 01:14 AM
  #1  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default New 408 Clicking Noise

So i finished my first LS build and i have been out of town for a couple months. I got home and i replaced my valve covers cause the ones i had were used and leaking. After the install when i started it up i heard a very faint clicking noise. I dont know what it is but im worried that the rockers arent clearing the new valve covers. I dont know why because they are stock LS3 rockers on LSA heads with stock LS3 valve covers. The lift on the cam is 0.650". Any help would be very appreciated.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2013 | 01:56 AM
  #2  
Burken01's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
iTrader: (88)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,925
Likes: 14
From: Anaheim, Ca
Default

was it clicking before the new valve cover change?
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2013 | 10:32 AM
  #3  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by Burken01
was it clicking before the new valve cover change?
No i dont remember it clicking. But it is very faint and u cant here it even when ur sitting in it and its idling. Its not something that gets louder with higher rpms. But with a stock LS3 valve train and stock LS3 valve covers is it likely that a rocker is tapping?
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 10:01 AM
  #4  
Burken01's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
iTrader: (88)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,925
Likes: 14
From: Anaheim, Ca
Default

Originally Posted by Sinister_Z28
No i dont remember it clicking. But it is very faint and u cant here it even when ur sitting in it and its idling. Its not something that gets louder with higher rpms. But with a stock LS3 valve train and stock LS3 valve covers is it likely that a rocker is tapping?
Did you torque the rockers down all at once to 22 ft lbs, or did you do half and half while rotating the engine?

valve cover swap shouldn't be causing this
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 04:28 PM
  #5  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Yes i tightened them down half and half. I used the book How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines as a step by step instruction manual for assembling the long block. The company i bought the short block heads cam and other misc stuff from said if i run stock valve covers i might have to clearance them. So my question is how do u clearance them?
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 06:06 PM
  #6  
Burken01's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
iTrader: (88)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,925
Likes: 14
From: Anaheim, Ca
Default

oh they said that?

well off hand idk, but if I had to guess I would put a little grease on the top of the rockers and put the valve cover on and then pull it off and see where it was touching and then take a dremel and slightly grind into the valve cover where it was touching... similar to clearancing stock brakes when using 15x10 prostars rims...

but I would research a little about clearancing them to see what other people have done...

you might even want to try posting this in the gen4 section and you will get some more hits with people running the ls3 stuff.. goodluck
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 08:59 PM
  #7  
oldmano2z's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Default

if stock valve covers and you ran your motor and spent time to build it , I would pull the valve cover and see if some dents are in the inside of the rocker cover baffles. if they are like gen 3 then its a plate riveted to the under side then i'd take a small ball peen and tap the dents a little deeper for clearance. i'll remember this on my lq4/ls3 build.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 11:28 PM
  #8  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Thanks for your help guys this is like i said my first LSX build so im on a steep leaening curve. But as far as the baffles in the valve cover they are very similar to the LS1's. Ill pull em tomorrow and let u guys know what i find.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:22 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE