LT1 ticking.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina.
LT1 ticking. Hey folks, new to the site, thought id ask the experts about a nasty tick coming from my 95 Z28, Car has few mods done by myself, was completely stock when i bought it 4 months ago, The car had sat for about 18 months, but was super solid, dash or windshield wasn't cracked, interior was flawless, hadn't been wrecked, clean title, T-tops the somehow don't leak, brand new front tires and fair paint. I paid 700$ for it and put in a 30$ ignition switch and she fired right up, changed the oil/filter added some fresh gas, good to go. I've had no issues what so ever other than the A/C doesn't work (like i would even use it anyway) and it has a ticking noise that stays the same at cold start up, even when the oil has heated up and oil PSI has dropped it still has the same amount of loudness. I thought it could have been a cracked exhaust manifold, so i ran some sea foam through the brake booster line and pulled the throttle cable with my fingers to see if i could see any smoke coming from the manifolds, nothing. I took a stethoscope and searched around all the possible areas where the tick could be coming from and so far its coming from the back of the passenger side valve cover...I've put about 1300 miles on it hoping if the lifter was stuck it would eventually free itself up. Anyways, I'm 16 got school, job, and a girlfriend so time and money is tight. Probably wont have time till this weekend. Any tips or things to watch out for while doing this? I know that God forsaken EGR tube is in the way of the valve cover but, thought id ask yall, thanks!
Last edited by Jucas97; Nov 19, 2014 at 01:05 PM.
I've got a similar noise, coming from the driver side tho. I went through and tightened down the rockers 1/4 to 1/2 turn and the noise went away. HOWEVER, the idle rose to about 1000rpms on cold start ups and idle in neutral. So about 2 weeks later I completely loosened and re-tightened the rockers (correctly this time) and rpms returned to normal. but the rockers still make the same tick as before. I just ignore it for now, but I'm fairly sure it may be a damaged rocker tip or a weak lifter. But my car also did 206K miles so there's that.. lol
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina.
Same here, it is very annoying... How does yours do on the highway? When i have cruise set on 75mph it tunes out completely but when going up a hill it gets noticeable as the RPM's are up again.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina.
I've got a similar noise, coming from the driver side tho. I went through and tightened down the rockers 1/4 to 1/2 turn and the noise went away. HOWEVER, the idle rose to about 1000rpms on cold start ups and idle in neutral. So about 2 weeks later I completely loosened and re-tightened the rockers (correctly this time) and rpms returned to normal. but the rockers still make the same tick as before. I just ignore it for now, but I'm fairly sure it may be a damaged rocker tip or a weak lifter. But my car also did 206K miles so there's that.. lol
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Mine is at the rear pass side, it's a fairly loud clack, just a bit louder than a header leak tick, at highway speeds I can still hear it inside the car. I checked the rockers and adjustment seems fine, car runs fine, it is annoying tho. I guess il try readjusting valve lash, but not now brrrrr!!!!
Mine is at the rear pass side, it's a fairly loud clack, just a bit louder than a header leak tick, at highway speeds I can still hear it inside the car. I checked the rockers and adjustment seems fine, car runs fine, it is annoying tho. I guess il try readjusting valve lash, but not now brrrrr!!!!
my noise is also similar in that it gets louder with engine load (acceleration). we could check if it was the rockers for sure by having the valve cover off and putting some pressure on a rocker arm and seeing of the sound lessens. if it doesn't go away maybe its a worn out lifter?
I would give our guys a shout here at the shop. They can probably help you figure out what is going on or at least point you in the right direction of how to find out what it is. Just shoot over an email to support@tickperformance.com or give us a shout here at the shop - 336.719.0599 
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina.
On the highway when I run windows down, T-top off, radio on and full blast heat, that complimented by a gutted cat and a magnaflow, it goes away....hahaha. I'm still running the stock 1.5 rockers. I'm assuming from what I've read the lifter is just weak. Car runs a 9.15 uncorked in the 1/8th mile so I'm just gonna let it go.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina.
Alright thanks so much! I'm sure in the future I'll probably cam the LT1. Followed by A torque converter, air intake, even lower gear, new valve train etc... All the things that make a car fast!
TECH Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,985
Likes: 112
broken exhaust bolts, especially in the rear, have been a known common problem which can cause a "tick" sound. Sometimes louder when engine is first started
there could be other causes but checking for broken bolt is free...
there could be other causes but checking for broken bolt is free...
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina.
I will check that out. It's very hard too see back there. I'm used to working on 60's and 70's cars where everything is easily accessible. This LT1 is just sealed tight in the engine bay!
TECH Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,985
Likes: 112
a flashlight and one of those small swivel mirrors on a telescoping rod like the ones you find in 'help" section at auto part stores or harbor freight will help. they are just a $1 or two
not saying you do have a broken bolt...just that it is a very common problem on rear bolts.
and if you did have a broken rocker....it would make way more noise than a "tick"....
not saying you do have a broken bolt...just that it is a very common problem on rear bolts.
and if you did have a broken rocker....it would make way more noise than a "tick"....
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina.
a flashlight and one of those small swivel mirrors on a telescoping rod like the ones you find in 'help" section at auto part stores or harbor freight will help. they are just a $1 or two
not saying you do have a broken bolt...just that it is a very common problem on rear bolts.
and if you did have a broken rocker....it would make way more noise than a "tick"....
not saying you do have a broken bolt...just that it is a very common problem on rear bolts.
and if you did have a broken rocker....it would make way more noise than a "tick"....