Anatomy of a Ticking Lifter
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Orlando
Anatomy of a Ticking Lifter So its obvious my lifters are worn and tick on cold start up but im curious what is it about the lifters that make them tick. It kinda of gets annoying. I almost feel like its ready to fail at any given moment. Is it that a lobe dent, roller not completely circular like they once were, roller stop rolling?! It started ticking about 5 months ago. Had the car for over a year.
First thing I would do is look for exhaust leaks.
With original LT1 lifters the vast majority of "lifter ticks" are actually exhaust leaks. Particularly those that go away in a few minutes like say when everything warms up and seals the leak.
With original LT1 lifters the vast majority of "lifter ticks" are actually exhaust leaks. Particularly those that go away in a few minutes like say when everything warms up and seals the leak.
A good way to tell if you have an exhaust leak is to put the trans in a high gear and accelerate. Not necessary to go WOT. If the tick gets louder then more than likely the problem is an exhaust leak.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Orlando
Nope I dont think its an exhaust leak because it only ticks on cold startups and ticking goes away after a few minutes and goes away when not idling.
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Agreed from the way your talking, its an exhaust leak. Lifters will pump up in 10 seconds normally when the car is cold started and the ticking is normally very loud. Check your header bolts.
Thread Starter
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From: Orlando
It depends on what you mean by 20 seconds. For me 20 seconds would be starting it and driving it in 20 seconds and the ticking goes away. Starting the car and having it sit, the ticking stays for a few minutes. It would be hard for me to be convinced thats its an exhaust leak. It sounds its coming from the inside of the engine rather then the outside. But then again you could be right. What are some ways to test if its a lifter or exhaust leak?
About the easiest way you'll know:
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Orlando
So I guess its not an exhaust leak. Who knows now I have another issue with Wires and Coil 
