What is this ticking noise?
Checkmate, while I completely understand your method of setting valve lash, I don't necessarily agree with your lash setting. In my '96 Z-28, I'm running GMPP S/A roller rockers, stock length, Manley hardened push rods, and CompCams 875r lifters. This set up has been in the car for the last 8-10,000 miles.
After some initial fiddling with the lash setting, set with the engine running and at full operating temp, I have the pre-load set at 1/8 turn, per the direct recommendation of the two different CompCams people I spoke with. I would think, hopefully, that the Comp tech people should know what's best for their products. In my particular application, "So far, so good"...
After some initial fiddling with the lash setting, set with the engine running and at full operating temp, I have the pre-load set at 1/8 turn, per the direct recommendation of the two different CompCams people I spoke with. I would think, hopefully, that the Comp tech people should know what's best for their products. In my particular application, "So far, so good"...
Here is one to check, We had a car on the Dyno and it sounded just like a lifter tick, everyone was checking everything like you and guess what, it was an intake leak, sounds crazy and I did not even believe it, but we pulled the intake right then resealed and the tick was gone!!
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From: North Versailles, PA
When you're looking for zero lash are you twisting or moving the pushrods and tightening until you feel drag? If so I made the same mistake. With poly lock style nuts you just hand tighten them until they stop for zero lash then go half turn past that for stock lifters. I had the same sound and it was my fault for not doing it right the first time. I hope this helps.
I had the same issue when I put everything together after getting my heads/cam back from Lloyd. I have the samw setup as far as rockers guideplates etc. I went over everything more than I care to count. Finally I sprung for LS7 lifters, put them in check everything out and have been quiet for about a month. The lifters that were in there originally on had about 2000 miles on them, and they were just stock replacement. Not sure if it helps, just thought I would throw it out there.
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I can't really understand what the issue is...The rockers aren't ticking because I know how they sound when they do since I adjusted the valves with the motor running. They are squirting oil like they should so the lifters are working properly it seems. Good thought on the manifold, but I know that thing isn't leaking because I dropped it straight onto a thick bead of RTV and torqued it in sequence. Pretty puzzled still, I may just tear it back down stick new lifters in and go from there. I leave in 2 weeks so it wont be until xmas that this POS gets done! I am so mad right now I have already punched a hole in the wall and broken a drawer within the last week
Just fired it up and the ticking is still there! I even made sure the 02 sensors were perfectly tight.
I can't really understand what the issue is...The rockers aren't ticking because I know how they sound when they do since I adjusted the valves with the motor running. They are squirting oil like they should so the lifters are working properly it seems. Good thought on the manifold, but I know that thing isn't leaking because I dropped it straight onto a thick bead of RTV and torqued it in sequence. Pretty puzzled still, I may just tear it back down stick new lifters in and go from there. I leave in 2 weeks so it wont be until xmas that this POS gets done! I am so mad right now I have already punched a hole in the wall and broken a drawer within the last week
I can't really understand what the issue is...The rockers aren't ticking because I know how they sound when they do since I adjusted the valves with the motor running. They are squirting oil like they should so the lifters are working properly it seems. Good thought on the manifold, but I know that thing isn't leaking because I dropped it straight onto a thick bead of RTV and torqued it in sequence. Pretty puzzled still, I may just tear it back down stick new lifters in and go from there. I leave in 2 weeks so it wont be until xmas that this POS gets done! I am so mad right now I have already punched a hole in the wall and broken a drawer within the last week
I went back to the original vid and gave it another listen....boy that tappin' is NASTY! Almost sounded way too loud for just loose lifters, more metal to metal....Given that you checked all the really obvious stuff at least 2-3 times, and the lifters SHOULD be OK, since they weren't noisy right up to the time you re-fired the engine for the first time.....
Is there a chance that A) you have a valve spring coil bind issue; B) a mechanical clearence issue, such as the underside of the retainers colliding with the oil seals; or C) your new valve springs are too stiff for the hydraulic lifters, so they're not really pumping up correctly?
Just something to ponder for the next few weeks..... Too bad you have to put this project on the back burner for so long.
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From: Skippack, PA
I went back to the original vid and gave it another listen....boy that tappin' is NASTY! Almost sounded way too loud for just loose lifters, more metal to metal....Given that you checked all the really obvious stuff at least 2-3 times, and the lifters SHOULD be OK, since they weren't noisy right up to the time you re-fired the engine for the first time.....
Is there a chance that A) you have a valve spring coil bind issue; B) a mechanical clearence issue, such as the underside of the retainers colliding with the oil seals; or C) your new valve springs are too stiff for the hydraulic lifters, so they're not really pumping up correctly?
Just something to ponder for the next few weeks..... Too bad you have to put this project on the back burner for so long.
Is there a chance that A) you have a valve spring coil bind issue; B) a mechanical clearence issue, such as the underside of the retainers colliding with the oil seals; or C) your new valve springs are too stiff for the hydraulic lifters, so they're not really pumping up correctly?
Just something to ponder for the next few weeks..... Too bad you have to put this project on the back burner for so long.
I will probaly grab some LS7's or I may just get the Comp R's assuming Comp has fixed whatever issues they had with them. You seemed to be fine with them so I may give them a shot since they practically have a set place to set preload at.
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From: Skippack, PA
I had the same issue when I put everything together after getting my heads/cam back from Lloyd. I have the samw setup as far as rockers guideplates etc. I went over everything more than I care to count. Finally I sprung for LS7 lifters, put them in check everything out and have been quiet for about a month. The lifters that were in there originally on had about 2000 miles on them, and they were just stock replacement. Not sure if it helps, just thought I would throw it out there.
In fact, that was part of my reasoning for putting new springs in the motor....It sits quite a bit with the valve/springs/lifters in one position for extended periods. I don't know what the long term effects of that are. I do start the car every couple of weeks during the winter to warm it up, and circulate the oil, but still, it sits for a time.
I did my adjustments with the motor running when I put them in, but I believe I set them about an 1/8th of a turn after they stopped clattering. I have been running for about 2 months now and the issue hasn't come back. Before I put them them in, I would adjust them and as soon as I took it out and got on it a little the noise would be there. I hope this helps and good luck.
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From: Skippack, PA
Thanks alot leadfoot4 and everyone else for all your help! I guess I got a plan so I'll see how that goes.
BTW 95Hawk467: Where exactly do you live? I live in south eastern PA right below Quakertown but have family up in the Montrose area which I assume is up your way?
BTW 95Hawk467: Where exactly do you live? I live in south eastern PA right below Quakertown but have family up in the Montrose area which I assume is up your way?
I did my adjustments with the motor running when I put them in, but I believe I set them about an 1/8th of a turn after they stopped clattering. I have been running for about 2 months now and the issue hasn't come back. Before I put them them in, I would adjust them and as soon as I took it out and got on it a little the noise would be there. I hope this helps and good luck.
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From: Skippack, PA
Ok well I put in the LS7 lifters this past weekend and fired it up yesterday and the noise is still there. The rockers are squirting oil perfectly and the car drives fine.
I talked to Bret Bauer the other day and he said that its simply how loud those particular rockers are and swapping to LT4 valve covers or some billet ones would quiet it down. He reasoning is that the stock LT1 covers were designed for use with stamped steel rockers where as say the LT4's were designed for use with roller rockers and they are known to keep the noise inside. Makes sense to me so that looks like the next resort.
I talked to Bret Bauer the other day and he said that its simply how loud those particular rockers are and swapping to LT4 valve covers or some billet ones would quiet it down. He reasoning is that the stock LT1 covers were designed for use with stamped steel rockers where as say the LT4's were designed for use with roller rockers and they are known to keep the noise inside. Makes sense to me so that looks like the next resort.
The LT4s do help quite a bit, but your tick is a little on the loud side. I would be under there like fergymoto listening to the oil pan (but I am sure you have already dont this).
I could be wrong though, some rockers are louder than others.... Be sure to post back with an update when you get those LT4s on there, I'm interested to see how it turns out.
I could be wrong though, some rockers are louder than others.... Be sure to post back with an update when you get those LT4s on there, I'm interested to see how it turns out.