yes they are naturally noisy, i was assuming the OP knows that and is hearing some loud new noise.

A sound clip would be best for you to post if you can.

 

mine is loud as f#ck!!!! but yea get a sound clip, and go w/ the ls7's, or u can go w/ cadilac racing lifters

 

I'm going to look ignorant (as I am) at this point but here's something to go along with the thread topic. I have read that using a shop vac at the water pump will draw all the coolant from the head. So effective is this that at least one poster reported not a single drop was present when the heads came off. I would think this would really save some time. Is this just

 

Would I be able to tell by looking at them that the bearings are bad? Pardon my ignorance.

 

Well I got home from lunch today and listened for about 20 seconds, nothing, just valve train clatter. It seems its intermittent, this is driving me nuts!

 

you could have a lifter that is getting stuck in its bore every now and then. Maybe some new clean oil will help first.

 

lol cop car is against doing lifters for some odd reason.. if ur pulling heads, might as well throw in some new lifters for peace of mind.. the "LS7" lifters are prob better design then stockers, and their cheap.

 

The only reason I'm pulling the heads is to do the lifters, if I don't have to I won't. I'll try an oil change, take it by the local shop and see if it makes the noise if they can take a listen and go from there.

 

yes, i am against replacing perfectly good parts. expecialy when you dont know exactly what the problem is, and it requires you to take the motor halfway appart.