I had a cheatr cam installed last year with stock lifters. The lifters started tapping immediately after the cam install. I'm finally, 10000 miles, later having the heads removed and ls7 lifters put into my 02 ls1. The question is whether or not I need to have the cam replaced too. How would I know if its a bad cam or lifter problem?

 

It was a lifter preload problem. The rockers were torqued down too tight or not tight enough. Don't worry about the cam, and make sure the rockers are at 22 ft/lbs with a good torque wrench.

If the noise is still there, put a 1/2 quart of ATF in the oil. It will help the lifters pump up and should reduce the noise.

Hope this helps.

 

I removed the valve covers once and bought a torque wrench. Everything seemed to be tightened to spec. All I did was set the wrench to 22 and check every rocker though. Which, I guess if they were over tightened, I would not have detected it. I did the Seafoam and mobil 1 synthetic but the noise stayed.

 

u may wish to loosen and retorque just to be sure...