Weird Issue in Valve train...
Weird Issue in Valve train... Well, I had my rockers rebuilt by Comp and 15 were way out spec and 1 was really chewed up from 15 years of abuse. I had a noise in the drivers side valve cover that I thought was from the rockers..Anyway, its all back together and the noise still persists...Mostly btween 2000-2500 rpm. its almost a squeek or sloppy valve control mostly on decelleration when I let off the throttle...Car still runs like a raped ape and is still quick to rev, pulls hard, etc, etc...just has that weird noise...
Back in 2005 when I did the cam swap I replaced the lifters with an off brand due to low funds and re-used the pushrods, which appear to be stock style. In my search to find/fix the noise I'm going to install quality lifters and push rods.
So what would you guys recommend for a good lifter and push rod combo? Lingenfelter recommended Melling lifters and Comp one piece hardened push rods....I've also heard that Trick Flow makes a good push rod, too...
I'm not sure if the noise is totally related to the lifters/push rods, but I want to install quality, known stuff so I know that at least the lifters and push rods are working correctly...
Thanks all!
--Alan
Back in 2005 when I did the cam swap I replaced the lifters with an off brand due to low funds and re-used the pushrods, which appear to be stock style. In my search to find/fix the noise I'm going to install quality lifters and push rods.
So what would you guys recommend for a good lifter and push rod combo? Lingenfelter recommended Melling lifters and Comp one piece hardened push rods....I've also heard that Trick Flow makes a good push rod, too...
I'm not sure if the noise is totally related to the lifters/push rods, but I want to install quality, known stuff so I know that at least the lifters and push rods are working correctly...
Thanks all!
--Alan
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Montville, NJ
Hey Alan, I currently run Morel hydraulic roller lifters, and my push rods I ordered from Jesel along with their SS shafts. Yeah, its overkill, but its bulletproof. The Comp 1 piece and the Trick Flows are good push rods, I have used both in the past. As for other lifters, I hear of guys using the LS7 lifter, or the Cadillac racing lifters. I'm sure other will chime in with info on them.
Nick
Nick
Hey Alan, I currently run Morel hydraulic roller lifters, and my push rods I ordered from Jesel along with their SS shafts. Yeah, its overkill, but its bulletproof. The Comp 1 piece and the Trick Flows are good push rods, I have used both in the past. As for other lifters, I hear of guys using the LS7 lifter, or the Cadillac racing lifters. I'm sure other will chime in with info on them.
Nick
Nick
Well, I had my rockers rebuilt by Comp and 15 were way out spec and 1 was really chewed up from 15 years of abuse. I had a noise in the drivers side valve cover that I thought was from the rockers..Anyway, its all back together and the noise still persists...Mostly btween 2000-2500 rpm. its almost a squeek or sloppy valve control mostly on decelleration when I let off the throttle...Car still runs like a raped ape and is still quick to rev, pulls hard, etc, etc...just has that weird noise...
Back in 2005 when I did the cam swap I replaced the lifters with an off brand due to low funds and re-used the pushrods, which appear to be stock style. In my search to find/fix the noise I'm going to install quality lifters and push rods.
So what would you guys recommend for a good lifter and push rod combo? Lingenfelter recommended Melling lifters and Comp one piece hardened push rods....I've also heard that Trick Flow makes a good push rod, too...
I'm not sure if the noise is totally related to the lifters/push rods, but I want to install quality, known stuff so I know that at least the lifters and push rods are working correctly...
Thanks all!
--Alan
Back in 2005 when I did the cam swap I replaced the lifters with an off brand due to low funds and re-used the pushrods, which appear to be stock style. In my search to find/fix the noise I'm going to install quality lifters and push rods.
So what would you guys recommend for a good lifter and push rod combo? Lingenfelter recommended Melling lifters and Comp one piece hardened push rods....I've also heard that Trick Flow makes a good push rod, too...
I'm not sure if the noise is totally related to the lifters/push rods, but I want to install quality, known stuff so I know that at least the lifters and push rods are working correctly...
Thanks all!
--Alan
Hey Alan, I currently run Morel hydraulic roller lifters, and my push rods I ordered from Jesel along with their SS shafts. Yeah, its overkill, but its bulletproof. The Comp 1 piece and the Trick Flows are good push rods, I have used both in the past. As for other lifters, I hear of guys using the LS7 lifter, or the Cadillac racing lifters. I'm sure other will chime in with info on them.
Nick
Nick
That noise your describing sounds like what mine does around 2500-3000 right before it shifts (mines an auto) but my car is completely stock atm.
its like a little squeak then idk a little rattle as I get off the gas a little when its about to shift but goes away after shifting.
Thanks for the info...I have heard horror stories about the Comp "R" series coming apart. I know Comp makes an OE style replacement. The Trick Flow push rods are readily available locally for under $80...The LS7 lifter sounds like a nice idea as they'd have to be durable to survive GM testing to be installed and warranteed in an LS7...
The noise itself is baffling. Its not a valve spring as there's no miss or power loss at all. An old school drag racer thinks I should check the cam play. Hehas seen cams move in the bore enough to cause a push rod or two to come in cotact with a guide plate. The end play I'll check when we do lifters and push rods..We even clearanced the valve covers a bit to make sue that wasn't the issue. Its just weird that the noise seems to occur at the specific rpm range of 2000-2500...and mostly on decelleration...Crazy...
--Alan
The noise itself is baffling. Its not a valve spring as there's no miss or power loss at all. An old school drag racer thinks I should check the cam play. Hehas seen cams move in the bore enough to cause a push rod or two to come in cotact with a guide plate. The end play I'll check when we do lifters and push rods..We even clearanced the valve covers a bit to make sue that wasn't the issue. Its just weird that the noise seems to occur at the specific rpm range of 2000-2500...and mostly on decelleration...Crazy...
--Alan
I've been racking my brain and doing some searches...I installed a Moroso stroker pan, corresponding pick up, and high volume melling pump as a kit last year. Around that time I noticed the noise, I think. Could the change in volume and pressure cause weird issues with the lifters? I'm not opposed to pulling the pump and going back to a stock volume one. Just a weird thought...Any input?
--Alan
--Alan
Comp type R take very little preload (1/8-1/4 turn past zero lash) as opposed to other lifter styles. You take one to 1/2-3/4 like most and there will definitely be a horror show sooner or later. 
LS7 style is almost foolproof. I would have used them if I hadn't been busy ordering a lot of stuff from Comp at the moment. Time will tell if I chose poorly with the 875, but I think it'll be fine with correct installation.
LS7 style is almost foolproof. I would have used them if I hadn't been busy ordering a lot of stuff from Comp at the moment. Time will tell if I chose poorly with the 875, but I think it'll be fine with correct installation.
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So you were using stock lifters with Guide plates? That could be the problem right there unless you have SA rockers. It could be a bad lifter but usually thats more of a tapping or loose rocker sound.
I run Manley PRs and Stock lifters.
I run Manley PRs and Stock lifters.
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I've had them in my '96 Z-28 for about 10-15,000 miles, and had quite a hassle initially getting them set. The instructions call for 1/8 turn, which as we all know, is very little pre-load and hard to get right. I had a discussion with one of CompCams' tech guys, and he was adamant that I didn't go beyond 1/8 turn. And, they are noisy....I was running 10-40 oil, in an effort to quiet them down.
Since I don't race or beat on the car, and originally put them in simply thinking of them as a HD replacement part, I think I'm going to put the OE lifters back in.....
I'm thing I'm going with Trick Flow one piece hardened chromoly pushrods and Trick Flow lifters...or the LS7 lifters...still doing a bit of research...I'm not sure if this will solve the problem but it will definitely level the playing field...
--Alan
Not sure about the replacements you used in 05 but the ls7 lifter has a little bit shallower cup on them. Ls7 V's the stock ones you would have to use just a hair longer pushrod just so you know. The noise could be the added volume of the oil passing throught the pushrods them self. As it reaches the top of the pushrod and passes to the rocker, or same type deal as it passes through the lifter. Most who use a High volume pump use bigger pushrods than stock and big roller rockers for High HP and rpm. Just a shot in the dark, but could be related.
Not sure about the replacements you used in 05 but the ls7 lifter has a little bit shallower cup on them. Ls7 V's the stock ones you would have to use just a hair longer pushrod just so you know. The noise could be the added volume of the oil passing throught the pushrods them self. As it reaches the top of the pushrod and passes to the rocker, or same type deal as it passes through the lifter. Most who use a High volume pump use bigger pushrods than stock and big roller rockers for High HP and rpm. Just a shot in the dark, but could be related.
I ran it how Lingenfelter built it for 14 years...Stock lifters with what appears to be a step up Comp OE style hardened pushrod for use with guide plates...The only questionable item now is the replacement lifters I used in 2005 when I went with the Joe O. cam...They were a cheap off brand and I was stupid to use thembut they seemed to work ok since 2005...They always had a slight noise at start up but were fine after that...
I'm thing I'm going with Trick Flow one piece hardened chromoly pushrods and Trick Flow lifters...or the LS7 lifters...still doing a bit of research...I'm not sure if this will solve the problem but it will definitely level the playing field...
--Alan
I'm thing I'm going with Trick Flow one piece hardened chromoly pushrods and Trick Flow lifters...or the LS7 lifters...still doing a bit of research...I'm not sure if this will solve the problem but it will definitely level the playing field...
--Alan
The TFS PRs should work fine.
I would just get the LS7s and be done with it.
Any vid of the noise? Usually a squeak coming from under the valve cover is a lack of oiling issue between the pushrod and guideplate. I take it you've checked all pushrods for abnormal wear?
Yea with a deck job and a head shave you would be about the same or shorter with an LS7. On a factory deck hight and head hight it is just a hair longer from the lifter cup to the rocker cup. If the cup was taller than stock it would be shorter pushrods. Double check on that though, now I am second guessing. lol
The valve springs are actually the originals from LPE and are almost 15 years old. They are a Comp dual spring that tested almost perfect all the way around a few years ago. I don't think its a spring issue as it pulls like a raped ape from idle to 6500 without a hiccup...I've driven cars with a broken valve spring and I could definitely tell the difference...If, however, replacing the lifters and push rods doesn't solve the issue, then it'll be time to do springs, retainers,locks, seals, etc...
I'll try to get a video of it and post it to see what you all think. The fact that it only makes the noise from 2500-2000 rpm under decelleration...
--Alan
Remove the serpentine belt & take it for a ride.
Remember it will be hard to steer & you will kill the battery as it will not charge, but a few miles will be OK.
Bad tensioners often allow the belt to make noise under hard acceleration.
Remember it will be hard to steer & you will kill the battery as it will not charge, but a few miles will be OK.
Bad tensioners often allow the belt to make noise under hard acceleration.
Having said that, I spoke to a tech at Summit today and he said he's heard good things about the Trick Flow push rods and lifters and great things about Howards Cams lifters...Anyone have any experiences with either? I know of quite a few old school drag racers who like/use Howards Cams stuff. I'm thinking either lifter would be good...Any input?
--Alan