Nickatina7

First off its an ls1 from an 04 gto in an rx7. It has 10k original miles on the stock engine. It has had a slight tick lately that has been getting louder. It's from the passenger side.

I fixed every exhaust leak

Spark plugs are tight

I have the valve cover off and I need help. The rods look straight, the bearings for the rockers are intact, they are clean, etc.

What do I torque the rocker bolts down to? I can try tightening them. Also if I start the engine with the valve cover off will oil spray out completely or just run out on the rockers/springs etc. I really want to pinpoint and fix this noise.

CHADsterss

22 lb ft for the rocker-arm bolts. Post a video of the knock maybe we can help.

Nickatina7

I would but my comp is being fixed all I have is my iPhone. Can't post from it. The tick is much louder at 1,000 rpm. You can hear it below 2k but after that the noise is drowned out.

blacknyellow

iTrader: (3)

take all the rockers off and roll the pushrods over a very flat surface, I'd bet a couple are bent.

jmyers

iTrader: (1)

It's good you hear it now and want to address it. If it is a lifter, you can save the cam and possibly the motor by changing it now. I've seen them go too long with a lifter tick and ruin cams. I hope you find it soon.

Nickatina7

Thanks. I am very experienced with every thing but internals of engines. I can take all that apart for sure. But putting it back together, is there anything I have to do special? Like soak them in oil? Do I just unbolt the rockers and the push rods just slide out? Then when I put them together do I use a special assembly lube?

CHADsterss

You can post videos to YouTube on a iPhone. Record the video then go to it then post it to YouTube.

Nickatina7

Ok I will.

Can you start the car with the valve cover off? Will oil go every where?

I got a write up on removal and instal of the rockers and rods. I was going to start it up with the cover off and listen to which one is making noise then just a take that one off to fix it. If I only remove one rocker and rod can I just put it back in, torque it down, crank it over, then retorque it. Or do I have to go through the whole process of putting the engine at TDC and torquing them all in sequence?

anthony.fatica

iTrader: (10)

Yes you can start it with the valve cover off, just don't rev the engine. Once they're off you can use a mechanics stethoscope and put it on each rocker bolt and see which one(s) are making the most noise to help narrow down your problem. I just went through this whole ordeal recently...

As far as the rocker, I don't know if you can do just one but if it were me personally I would just go through the full sequence to make sure it's all right...

CranMaro99

iTrader: (10)

Using your iPhone, post a video as soon as you have time. It will help.

BigBirdLS1

OP you could have the car running then pull the plug wire off a coil one at a time that should tell you where the tick is coming from. Then you will only have to check one cylinder not all eight.

Nickatina7

Ill post a vid after work. If I go through the whole sequence won't I have to take off the timing cover to line up the marks for TDC?

Nickatina7

Ok I took the valve cover off the right side since I hear it distinctly out of the right side of the car.

I started it and could clearly hear it in the car but I put my stethoscope on the bold of each rocker bolt and they all sounded the same. I couldn't pinpoint the sound at all.

I looked under the car and could hear it louder under the car but it could just be radiating through the long tubes.

What should I do next?

Nickatina7

Would a rod bearing make the same noise?

CranMaro99

iTrader: (10)

The sounds are different. Take video near the wheel well (you usually can hear the lifters tick in that area the best).

Nickatina7

I took video from above the engine but you can't hear it at all. I'll try from the wheel well tomorrow.

Nickatina7

I hear it a lot more if I put my head under the car in the middle. But it might be resonating through the long tubes.

anthony.fatica

iTrader: (10)

Yup, that's the same sound I have from how you're explaining it. I'm swapping mine out for an LS2 this winter though. I'm anxious to get this LS1 apart and find out what the ticking is, my guess is lifter...

CHADsterss

I know in my LS1 it was ticking and it sounded louder underneath the car, but it was just the exhaust valve slapping shut.

Nickatina7

Why would the exhaust valve be making noise like that? Bad valve seal or something? I think it's running rich. It needs a tune. Getting like 10mpg normal driving. Could this cause it?