Engine Noise
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 9
From: Seabrook Texas
St. Jude Donor '05
Engine Noise
I am not a mechanic but I have an idea what the noise is. I was driving down the road and I started hearing what I thought was an exhaust leak, well the noise became more mecanical sounding and changed as I ccelerated. I get home and it is a ticking noise coming from what sounds like underneath the right side valve cover. Any suggestions?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 641
Likes: 2
From: Storm lake Iowa
Originally Posted by swtato
I am not a mechanic but I have an idea what the noise is. I was driving down the road and I started hearing what I thought was an exhaust leak, well the noise became more mecanical sounding and changed as I ccelerated. I get home and it is a ticking noise coming from what sounds like underneath the right side valve cover. Any suggestions?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
I know this sounds like a Bubba solution, but try pouring some Marvel Mystery Oil down the carb with the engine running. I used this stuff when I was a kid and recently tried it again on my tired SB after being reminded of its magical powers on the forum. 
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 5
From: 2010 C6 Grand Sport Convertible
Originally Posted by swtato
I am not a mechanic but I have an idea what the noise is. I was driving down the road and I started hearing what I thought was an exhaust leak, well the noise became more mecanical sounding and changed as I ccelerated. I get home and it is a ticking noise coming from what sounds like underneath the right side valve cover. Any suggestions?
Mike
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by swtato
I am not a mechanic but I have an idea what the noise is. I was driving down the road and I started hearing what I thought was an exhaust leak, well the noise became more mecanical sounding and changed as I ccelerated. I get home and it is a ticking noise coming from what sounds like underneath the right side valve cover. Any suggestions?
My brother-in-law drove his '79 Vette over this evening because it was making a similar sound. As soon as he pulled in the driveway I knew what the problem probably was.
I pulled his right valve cover off and his number 8 exhaust rocker was VERY loose. The rocker stud was tight, adjuster nut appeared to be tightened the same as the other ones. I pulled the rocker and pushrod and used a bore scope to check the lifter. It was not collapsed. When the engine was turned over you could see that the exhaust lifter didn't move anywhere near as much as the intake lifter did. I believe he has a flat lobe on his cam.
The car was left with me to pull apart and inspect for parts needed. I'm not looking forward to installing a new cam and lifters in someone elses car.
Good luck on your car...I hope for your sake, and your wallet that it's something simple.
Jeff
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
Originally Posted by swtato
I am not a mechanic but I have an idea what the noise is. I was driving down the road and I started hearing what I thought was an exhaust leak, well the noise became more mecanical sounding and changed as I ccelerated. I get home and it is a ticking noise coming from what sounds like underneath the right side valve cover. Any suggestions?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
swtato...
Did you find out what your noise was?
I pulled my brother-in-laws apart and found the number 8 exhaust, number 1 & 5 intake lifters badly "cupped", pulled the cam and the lobes on those 3 lifters were wiped out.
His engine was built by a "professional" shop and was dynoed at 408hp at the flywheel. With less than 4000 miles on it over the course of 2 years you would think the cam/lifters would have lasted?
His engine is now waiting on parts that I ordered from Summit Racing today. Hopefully yours is something easier/cheaper to fix. Lucky for him I can do all the work and not charge him...well...not as much as a shop would charge.
Good luck,
Jeff
Did you find out what your noise was?
I pulled my brother-in-laws apart and found the number 8 exhaust, number 1 & 5 intake lifters badly "cupped", pulled the cam and the lobes on those 3 lifters were wiped out.
His engine was built by a "professional" shop and was dynoed at 408hp at the flywheel. With less than 4000 miles on it over the course of 2 years you would think the cam/lifters would have lasted?
His engine is now waiting on parts that I ordered from Summit Racing today. Hopefully yours is something easier/cheaper to fix. Lucky for him I can do all the work and not charge him...well...not as much as a shop would charge.
Good luck,
Jeff
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 9
From: Seabrook Texas
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by 406shark
swtato...
Did you find out what your noise was?
Did you find out what your noise was?
Yeah, I checked the oil and it was low. I have only had the car since end of January and had the oil changed then. It has been on stands for about 4 weeks so I did not think that the miles I had put on it would use that much oil. It has a few small drips but obviously uses a bit to. So far I hope that was the problem. A rebuild is in the future one day. Thanks for asking!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by swtato
Yeah, I checked the oil and it was low. I have only had the car since end of January and had the oil changed then. It has been on stands for about 4 weeks so I did not think that the miles I had put on it would use that much oil. It has a few small drips but obviously uses a bit to. So far I hope that was the problem. A rebuild is in the future one day. Thanks for asking!
Good news...it will be alot cheaper to just add oil when it needs it.
Later,
Jeff