so for the pass week I've been hearing a tapping from my motor.
narrowed it down to driver side, so I pulled the valve cover. the tapping noise isnt consistant so I narrowed it down it down to valvetrain related.

I started the car, listened with a stethoscope its coming from one of the the rocker or one of it related component in there. the 4th rocker from the back. I havent tried switching the rocker around yet to confirm, but whats the chances of it be anything else?

 

Is the car running smooth (not skipping)? Also check for bent or broken pushrod and maybe a bad colapsed lifter?

 

yea it drive great, still pulls like it did

 

maybe a broken valve spring

 

Thats the push rod I bent in my car 4th one from the back. It was inconsitent at first but then it kept getting louder and louder.

 

You'd know if it were a broken valve spring from the get go. Most likely a pushrod from the sound of things.

 

I agree. I have also heard of needle bearings falling out of OEM rocker arms also.

I know this sounds funny but it works. Take a short wooden stick (broom handle) and use it as a stethoscope. While engine is running touch one end of broom stick to all areas of the vavle covers while holding other end of stick to your ear (sound will be amplified). Area of loudest ticking noise should be suspect. You can also buy engine stethoscopes at most autoparts stores for the same purpose.

 

thanx man, but did you read my post?

 

k, I guess I'll switch the rocker and the pushrod around, so I can eliminate the lifter. I'm dont want to waste money replacing the wrong part.

 

if you do the wooden dowel rod trick watch out for all of the moving parts, i knew a kid in high school that hit his belt with one in his ear and it shoved in to his head!!!!

 

just an update for future reference
pulled the head, pics here

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/566018-what-would-cause-lifter-do-pic-inside.html