Another LS Ticking Noise
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 6
Another LS Ticking Noise 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!
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!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 6
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.
Last edited by hubcap706; May 16, 2025 at 09:23 PM.
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 111
Likes: 35
From: Las Vegas, NV
I bought a pushrod length tool and measured for them upon assembly of the valve train and installed 7.4” cam motion cams.
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.
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.
I would double check your pushrod lengths.
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 50
Likes: 203
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?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 6
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.
I would double check your pushrod lengths.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 6
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?
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.
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On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 111
Likes: 35
From: Las Vegas, NV
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.
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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.
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.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 6
Hub, if you can post up a video where the ticking can be heard th`q at 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.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 6
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 6
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.
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.
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 32
Likes: 7
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'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.
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 111
Likes: 35
From: Las Vegas, NV
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.
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.
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 84
Likes: 41
From: Wenatchee WA
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.
He has driven it a bunch and no issues.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 6
Thanks for sharing! It just seems that a lot of folks experience this.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 6
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'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.