Issue after H/C swap please help
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Moline, IL
Issue after H/C swap please help As stated i just recently had the heads and cam swaped. I had no engine noise prior to the swap. I had personally put 15k on the car and never heard much of anything. After the swap i have what most would say is the O so hated "LS1 ticking". I have ported stock heads, hotcam, new ls7 lifters, new ls6 oil pump, and new waterpump. I do not have a PR checker but the setup came with 7.350 CM pr's. Just by feel these did not seem the right length(too much play and wear pattern was off). I had to use the stock PR's for the time being. From what ive read on here most have been using 7.425 PR's with a aftermarket cam and stock heads. I have also seen that the ls7 lifters are supposedly needing a slightly longer rod due to the change in design to get the correct preload.. That is my first concern the second is that a lifter was installed not facing the oil port or not pumping up... The noise i get is suttle at idle and is kind of a slight knock and you can barely hear it. during normal cruise under a load it is noticably a tick. When i give it WOT or close to it i really dont hear it. but whenever I let off the gas and there is no load I can really hear a ticking and it follows the rpm range. I have checked the plugs and headers for leaks and have not found any. and it seems to be coming from the drivers side. I am hoping you guys have some insight because i am not sure at this point and I really dont like having a shop or myself rip into my motor unless im pretty sure what is wrong. So far it drives with no problems(no oil press issues, or metal in oil) but I know the noise should not be there.
First off it does not matter what direction you install the lifters as long as the roller will roll along the cam lobe. That means you can install it 2 direction, each 180 degrees out from each other. Thats simple.
The first thing you need to do is get a pushrod checker and measure what you need, then add your preload to get desired length.
You could also possibly have a busted rocker arm.
The first thing you need to do is get a pushrod checker and measure what you need, then add your preload to get desired length.
You could also possibly have a busted rocker arm.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Moline, IL
First off it does not matter what direction you install the lifters as long as the roller will roll along the cam lobe. That means you can install it 2 direction, each 180 degrees out from each other. Thats simple.
The first thing you need to do is get a pushrod checker and measure what you need, then add your preload to get desired length.
You could also possibly have a busted rocker arm.
The first thing you need to do is get a pushrod checker and measure what you need, then add your preload to get desired length.
You could also possibly have a busted rocker arm.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Moline, IL
Even if its not whats causing the noise its obvious that my PR's are probably not the correct length. i figured id have to replace those PR's, especially now after what you guys are saying and what ive read. I will put my set of rockers back on as well since i know those were good. I really hope its not a lifter after i do all this.. Pulling the heads are a PITA. Whats the proper preload to add for an ls7 lifter after using the pr checker? Also does anyone have a link for a place to get good PR's and the checker? If anyone else want to state their .02 feel free ill take all the comments i can get. I like many of you love working on the car and learning more about it but hate checking and rechecking things over and over only to still be frusterated lol.
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC
As stated i just recently had the heads and cam swaped. I had no engine noise prior to the swap. I had personally put 15k on the car and never heard much of anything. After the swap i have what most would say is the O so hated "LS1 ticking". I have ported stock heads, hotcam, new ls7 lifters, new ls6 oil pump, and new waterpump. I do not have a PR checker but the setup came with 7.350 CM pr's. Just by feel these did not seem the right length(too much play and wear pattern was off). I had to use the stock PR's for the time being. From what ive read on here most have been using 7.425 PR's with a aftermarket cam and stock heads. I have also seen that the ls7 lifters are supposedly needing a slightly longer rod due to the change in design to get the correct preload.. That is my first concern the second is that a lifter was installed not facing the oil port or not pumping up... The noise i get is suttle at idle and is kind of a slight knock and you can barely hear it. during normal cruise under a load it is noticably a tick. When i give it WOT or close to it i really dont hear it. but whenever I let off the gas and there is no load I can really hear a ticking and it follows the rpm range. I have checked the plugs and headers for leaks and have not found any. and it seems to be coming from the drivers side. I am hoping you guys have some insight because i am not sure at this point and I really dont like having a shop or myself rip into my motor unless im pretty sure what is wrong. So far it drives with no problems(no oil press issues, or metal in oil) but I know the noise should not be there.
http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...g_and_wire.htm
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Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Moline, IL
My headers do have the AIR ports on them but they have blockoff plates and new gaskets. I have checked for leaks there and on the headers/plugs but i cant totally see under the headers so it is a possiblity its leaking there but the sound im hearing definately sounds like valvetrain on the drivers side or at least the top of the motor.. not exaust. although any leaks can be very misleading and sound like its coming from somewhere that its not lol. I agree with lewis and the others above that the correct setup on the valvetrain is very important. I do not doubt that may be the problem. Even using the tips ive found on here and doing it myself its hard to make sure its right on. Thanks for the suggestion though thats what im looking for and the more the better. Any one have a link to a vendor that has the pr checker and pr's for our cars? I want to do this this weekend and at least get that out of the way to see if it does anything with the noise.
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Thunder Racing has what you need. Improperly sized pushrods can be a very bad thing.
There is more than one way to “correctly” determine the proper pushrod length. Click here for the method I used.
There is more than one way to “correctly” determine the proper pushrod length. Click here for the method I used.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Moline, IL
thanks bsf for the info! I am ordering the checker tomorrow. Just for giggles... even with the stock length pr's installed and the valve at rest should the rocker be able to be wiggled a little and pr's be spun fairly easy? thats what it was like when i took out the 7.350 cm rods and put the stockers in and checked it... im assuming no but just thought id ask 