Hey guys, like the title says, I have a somewhat annoying ticking coming from my engine.

2005 LQ4
Bottom end rebuilt and balanced by machine shop with new bearings and ARP bolts. Rings gapped for boost.
317 heads milled 0.010
LS9 head gaskets
New LS7 lifters and trays (soaked before install)
Trunion upgrade with stock rocker arms
BTR stage 2 camshaft
New pushrods
Deka 80 lb injectors
Melling Oil Pump with new pickup tube
Long Tube Headers

The ticking sounds like a sewing machine and has been around since the first drive. The speed of the ticking increases with RPM. My oil pressure is between 55-60 psi. I have done the following to mitigate the noise:

- checked spark plugs for tightness
- swapped the exhaust manifold gaskets for new ones
- flushed the engine with transmission fluid
- checked the dipstick for bubbles (o-ring symptom)

Before ordering new lifters, trays, and head gaskets to swap them out, I wanted to see if anyone had any other suggestions or of this is expected / normal.

Thank you!

 

I would be looking at the pushrod length... Who measured for the correct length pushrods?

 

I bought a pushrod length tool and measured for them upon assembly of the valve train and installed 7.4” cam motion pushrods.

I plan to pull the valve covers off this weekend to check rocker arms for any play and also for any signs of lifter collapse. While I’m there, I’ll check to see what the oil output from the pushrods look like.

 

You mentioned that the motor sounded this way from the first drive which would indicate that perhaps the pushrod length wasn't done properly versus a collapsed lifter which generally would happen over time but could be bad right out of the box.

I would double check your pushrod lengths.

 

Hub, I'm curious to the performance of the vehicle. I have the same exact issue. I spoke w/ my installer and he said the BTR cams all sound like sewing machines. I didn't like it but continued to drive the car. It had zero performance issues. It just sounds like there's something not quite right w/ it. IMO. Maybe it has something to do with the valve springs installed w/ the kit?

 

I contemplated checking the length again as a sanity check. Thanks for the input!

 

The performance of the truck has been flawless. It put down 375 hp to the rear wheel when it was tuned and if I’m being honest I don’t drive it light. My tuner said it was fairly common across the swaps that he sees, so I may just be reading into too much. After scouring the internet in hopes of a similar situation, 60% of folks just say get used to it, turn the radio up, and get louder exhaust. But the last thing that I want to do before throwing a turbo on is be ignorant to what could be an issue.

The lifters were Summit LS7 lifters and the springs were new (BTR .660”). Haven’t heard much out of if these being good or bad, just planned on installing Morel 7717s and new rockers with bushings if I decide to swap.

 

Hub, if you can post up a video where the ticking can be heard that may be helpful for others to respond. If you had a collapsed lifter you would probably be able to somewhat isolate the noise. Try listening along the valve covers with a length of heater hose and see if you can notice any area(s) which may have a louder ticking sound.

 

Mine sounds like a sewing machine with piston slap. Dives fine. It's loud enough people have commented on it though. Oddly enough, it doesn't burn much oil.

 

The sewing machine sound on an LS is perfectly normal. For the record, a trunnion upgrade exaggerates the sound because of the stiffness/solidity that the solid trunnion adds to the fulcrum.
A ticking sound and the “sewing machine” sound are vastly different. Sometimes a 40w oil will dampen the sound, but I personally don’t recommend it.

 

I agree. I will attempt to get a video or at least a link to a video on YouTube on here this weekend.

 

Thanks for sharing. With it driving the way it does, I hope to find nothing upon pulling the covers.

 

Thanks! I did not know that regarding the trunnion upgrade, but it makes sense. I also read that the long tube headers will increase the sound as well. I should clarify that it is more sewing machine and is not exaggerated on any specific part of the engine (driver, passenger, front, rear) and not a ticking or tapping that I have heard in other videos that seems to be at a singular location. I have also read that certain injectors and coils can contribute to the noise as well.

 

Did the lifters you get from summit have the gold retaining clips? If not, they're not genuine Delphi LS7.

I've got the same lq4 in my 2003 Hummer, with the genuine Delphi LS7 lifters and the BTR trunnion upgrade.... Runs very quiet. (5w30 Valvoline synthetic)

Pushrod lengy is a definite possibility.

 

I have Smith Brothers trunions, Kooks long tube headers and Johnson 2110'r lifters and would say the motor does not have any unusual noises or sound like a sewing machine. The injectors are probably as loud as any valve train noise.

Determining the correct pushrod length has some quirks as the shape of the ends of the actual pushrods used and the adjustable pushrod measuring tool can add some variance. There are some methods and tools that are preferred but off hand don't recall. Whatever you used to measure the pushrods, you may want to get another type/style and compare results if you are so inclined to verify pushrod length.

 

My 5.3 Silverado has the tick. I ignore it as well. Those DOD lifters suck.

 

My sons 86 K10 with the LM7 swap, BTR Stage 2 cam, new pushrods and long tubes has the same sewing machine sound. It seems to vary a bit depending on temps when started until fully warm.
He has driven it a bunch and no issues.

 

Thanks for sharing! It just seems that a lot of folks experience this.

 

Thank you! I dont recall if the retaining clips were gold or not.. at the time, I wasnt aware of the issues that many have had with cheap, knock off lifters.

 

I had to trim the video. Hopefully it will suffice.

sounds definitely gets louder as temps rise.