lifter tapping :-(
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
lifter tapping :-(
Well.. I have a lifter that taps now. Sounds like cylinder #7
Anything I can do to fix that with out replacing it all? I readjusted all the lifters last week but that one is still tapping. 1980 L48 -stock
Anything I can do to fix that with out replacing it all? I readjusted all the lifters last week but that one is still tapping. 1980 L48 -stock
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Franksville Wisconsin
I had to change cam with #7 exhaust lifter wiped. I also replaced the oil pump with new cam to make sure it gets plenty of lube so maybe it will last till rebuild.This looks like the third cam my engine had. Sounds like your vette has broom stick disease too. Make sure to use good oil with Zinc like valvoline VR1 racing oil or whatever you prefer.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Franksville Wisconsin
Was thinking about it some. Could be faulty lifter hydraulic unit. You can remove valve cover and check for a weak lifter by pushing on rockers (pushrod end) with valves closed.
maybe that will help figure it out before tearing into it.
maybe that will help figure it out before tearing into it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
I'll throw this out from a different perspective, having been mislead in the past myself.
Did you check for an exhaust leak at that location or have you verified that it is lifter noise by a stethoscope? An exhaust leak can be quite similar in noise.
Did you check for an exhaust leak at that location or have you verified that it is lifter noise by a stethoscope? An exhaust leak can be quite similar in noise.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
I wish it was an exhuast leak.. in fact I was really hoping it was. I did not use a stethoscope just my ear and my fathers. We both agree.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
There may be some dirt stuck in the lifter!
In the old days we would change the oil and instead of 5 quarts of oil we would run 4 quarts oil and 1 quart tranny fluid. The tranny fluid is a higher detergent then the oil and sometimes it will work.
Might be exhaust spit, cam issue, lifter issue and/or one or more of the above. You might try the cheap route first. Run it a little while and see what happens.
Willcox
In the old days we would change the oil and instead of 5 quarts of oil we would run 4 quarts oil and 1 quart tranny fluid. The tranny fluid is a higher detergent then the oil and sometimes it will work.
Might be exhaust spit, cam issue, lifter issue and/or one or more of the above. You might try the cheap route first. Run it a little while and see what happens.
Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,202
Likes: 17
I had a similar problem on my 427, and as it turned out the push rod was defective! The end of it had failed!
I had the cam lobe checked, and it was fine! Pull the noisy push rod and check it. Could also be a stuck piston on the lifter.
Get that oil filter cut open, and check for metal inside. If the lobe on the cam is toast, this should reveal it.
That is the first step actually, checking what resides in the filter. Then get the lobe checked out!
If you find allot of metal in that filter, a tear down and go through would be advised! That stuff will prematurely devastate bearings etc....
After I installed the new push rod, it was explained, that if the lobe was failing it would be revealed in short order. It was fine!
I had the cam lobe checked, and it was fine! Pull the noisy push rod and check it. Could also be a stuck piston on the lifter.
Get that oil filter cut open, and check for metal inside. If the lobe on the cam is toast, this should reveal it.
That is the first step actually, checking what resides in the filter. Then get the lobe checked out!
If you find allot of metal in that filter, a tear down and go through would be advised! That stuff will prematurely devastate bearings etc....
After I installed the new push rod, it was explained, that if the lobe was failing it would be revealed in short order. It was fine!
Last edited by 67tripwr; Dec 10, 2009 at 11:51 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 7
From: l In
There may be some dirt stuck in the lifter!
In the old days we would change the oil and instead of 5 quarts of oil we would run 4 quarts oil and 1 quart tranny fluid. The tranny fluid is a higher detergent then the oil and sometimes it will work.
Might be exhaust spit, cam issue, lifter issue and/or one or more of the above. You might try the cheap route first. Run it a little while and see what happens.
Willcox
In the old days we would change the oil and instead of 5 quarts of oil we would run 4 quarts oil and 1 quart tranny fluid. The tranny fluid is a higher detergent then the oil and sometimes it will work.
Might be exhaust spit, cam issue, lifter issue and/or one or more of the above. You might try the cheap route first. Run it a little while and see what happens.
Willcox
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Salem MA
when i had 'lifter tick' it turned out that the retaining wire in the lifter had come undone leading to the lifter basically being half-dissassembled inside the motor. so certainly there are many possible reasons for a lifter tick and the only way to find out whats wrong is to dive in from the outside in until you find the problem.
good luck.
good luck.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Franksville Wisconsin
If you don't know what it is,find out what it's not....... That is the method I use. Start with the cheapest first.Probably if nothing found under valve cover,pull the intake it's easier than it looks I can do a remove and install in under 2 hours. The trick is to glue the gaskets to the intake with fast tack sealer and hold it in place with magnets for a hour or so.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I had a '77 Vette years ago that had a noisey tappet. It turned out that several push rods were bent. I must have over reved the engine at some point. I replaced the push rods and all was well.
If you roll the push rods on a flat surface a bent push rod will be obvious.
Note: Be sure to reinstall them in the same location they came out of.
If you roll the push rods on a flat surface a bent push rod will be obvious.
Note: Be sure to reinstall them in the same location they came out of.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Another "trick" is to spray some carb cleaner down the pushrod. Not a ton, but a spritz.
If you've adjusted that valve, then it's probaby time to think about pulling the intake and having a look. It's the weekend, go to it
If you've adjusted that valve, then it's probaby time to think about pulling the intake and having a look. It's the weekend, go to it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Not to hi-jack, but what happened if you place a new lifter (or a set of new lifters) on a used camshaft? .. is it ok and be ready to go? , is it ok but need to redo a break-in? .. or is it not ok at all?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
when i had 'lifter tick' it turned out that the retaining wire in the lifter had come undone leading to the lifter basically being half-dissassembled inside the motor. so certainly there are many possible reasons for a lifter tick and the only way to find out whats wrong is to dive in from the outside in until you find the problem.
good luck.
good luck.
it's a hell of a lot easier to check for a wiped lobe, bad rocker, bad or bent pushrod by simply pulling the valve covers and starting or spinning the mill by hand......good luck...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Opinions differ, but new lifters on a used cam is generally fatal. Used lifters on a new cam is generally fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh