Noisey lifter clatter.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Noisey lifter clatter.
After a spirited run on the highway, I now have a loud rocker arm. I believe I have narrowed it down to # 1 cyl Intake.
Valve-lash appears ok.
Pushrod clean, straight.
No broken spring.
Threaded rocker stud, rocker ball and nut are ok.
Valve stem, rocker movement fine.
No signs of wiped cam lobe. (Zinc oil)
Adjusting valve-lash makes no difference in clatter..
1. Question. Has anyone pulled a lifter with Intake still on? Reason I ask, just installed a new Intake last yr. Would rather take an easy route for repair
The aluminum heads have huge pushrod holes. Looks like if I remove 2 rockers, 2 pushrods, 2 rocker studs, 1 guide plate on that cyl, maybe I can fish the suspect lifter out with a magnet.
2. Question. Has anybody successfully put a new lifter in the bore that way? Would be tricky, but maybe doable.
Plan B.
Drain coolant, pull carb, pull dizzy, all 16 pushrods, put in all new lifters. And bitch the entire time doing so.
By the way, a set of flat tappet lifters are $119 - $200 todays prices. Plus, gaskets, sealant, etc. Geez oh pete.
One FT lifter is only $7
Last question: What are some of the symptoms of a lifter gone bad internally? Repairable? Toss it?
Valve-lash appears ok.
Pushrod clean, straight.
No broken spring.
Threaded rocker stud, rocker ball and nut are ok.
Valve stem, rocker movement fine.
No signs of wiped cam lobe. (Zinc oil)
Adjusting valve-lash makes no difference in clatter..
1. Question. Has anyone pulled a lifter with Intake still on? Reason I ask, just installed a new Intake last yr. Would rather take an easy route for repair
The aluminum heads have huge pushrod holes. Looks like if I remove 2 rockers, 2 pushrods, 2 rocker studs, 1 guide plate on that cyl, maybe I can fish the suspect lifter out with a magnet.
2. Question. Has anybody successfully put a new lifter in the bore that way? Would be tricky, but maybe doable.
Plan B.
Drain coolant, pull carb, pull dizzy, all 16 pushrods, put in all new lifters. And bitch the entire time doing so.
By the way, a set of flat tappet lifters are $119 - $200 todays prices. Plus, gaskets, sealant, etc. Geez oh pete.
One FT lifter is only $7
Last question: What are some of the symptoms of a lifter gone bad internally? Repairable? Toss it?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 822
From: Wisconsin
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I'm going through the same thing right now! Going to check it out a little deeper Wednesday when I have time.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
It's frustrating for sure. I'd rather it happens in the Fall.
Might be a speck of dirt in the lifter orifice plunger, IDK
I can put new lifters on old cam lobes. But not vise-versa.
Might be a speck of dirt in the lifter orifice plunger, IDK
I can put new lifters on old cam lobes. But not vise-versa.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Jul 2, 2024 at 04:22 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
After a spirited run on the highway, I now have a loud rocker arm. I believe I have narrowed it down to # 1 cyl Intake.
Valve-lash appears ok.
Pushrod clean, straight.
No broken spring.
Threaded rocker stud, rocker ball and nut are ok.
Valve stem, rocker movement fine.
No signs of wiped cam lobe. (Zinc oil)
Adjusting valve-lash makes no difference in clatter..
1. Question. Has anyone pulled a lifter with Intake still on? Reason I ask, just installed a new Intake last yr. Would rather take an easy route for repair
The aluminum heads have huge pushrod holes. Looks like if I remove 2 rockers, 2 pushrods, 2 rocker studs, 1 guide plate on that cyl, maybe I can fish the suspect lifter out with a magnet.
2. Question. Has anybody successfully put a new lifter in the bore that way? Would be tricky, but maybe doable.
Plan B.
Drain coolant, pull carb, pull dizzy, all 16 pushrods, put in all new lifters. And bitch the entire time doing so.
By the way, a set of flat tappet lifters are $119 - $200 todays prices. Plus, gaskets, sealant, etc. Geez oh pete.
One FT lifter is only $7
Last question: What are some of the symptoms of a lifter gone bad internally? Repairable? Toss it?
Valve-lash appears ok.
Pushrod clean, straight.
No broken spring.
Threaded rocker stud, rocker ball and nut are ok.
Valve stem, rocker movement fine.
No signs of wiped cam lobe. (Zinc oil)
Adjusting valve-lash makes no difference in clatter..
1. Question. Has anyone pulled a lifter with Intake still on? Reason I ask, just installed a new Intake last yr. Would rather take an easy route for repair
The aluminum heads have huge pushrod holes. Looks like if I remove 2 rockers, 2 pushrods, 2 rocker studs, 1 guide plate on that cyl, maybe I can fish the suspect lifter out with a magnet.
2. Question. Has anybody successfully put a new lifter in the bore that way? Would be tricky, but maybe doable.
Plan B.
Drain coolant, pull carb, pull dizzy, all 16 pushrods, put in all new lifters. And bitch the entire time doing so.
By the way, a set of flat tappet lifters are $119 - $200 todays prices. Plus, gaskets, sealant, etc. Geez oh pete.
One FT lifter is only $7
Last question: What are some of the symptoms of a lifter gone bad internally? Repairable? Toss it?
If you can get the same type/model replacement I would just replace the lifter in question since disassembly seems like more work than its worth.
I read a thread about this a couple years back were they disassembled one. it was a rather detailed thread about cam failure due to many of the newer flat tappet replacement lifters being poor quality these days with the foot not breaking in and spinning correctly and taking out lobes.
I found this video on pulling lifters apart.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,148
Likes: 9,278
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
S it solid or hydraulic? .... im guessing hydraulic, and if you can get a single hydraulic do it. If you blow it and loose it somewhere in the tray then you were going to take the intake off anyway. But you only have one bad so I would replace the one bad as easily as you can provide the base looks pristine on the bad one
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 487
From: Salmon Arm, BC
If you have a tool like this and a spare lifter you should see what sort of maneuverability and control you can maintain to see if it's possible.
15″ Flexible Mechanical Finger, 798 | Wilde Tool
15″ Flexible Mechanical Finger, 798 | Wilde Tool
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
After some thought about this, I decided to bite the bullet and buy 16 new lifters from Summit., arrived minutes ago.
Research shows that a few things can happen to induce a Hyd Flat Tappet to collapse.
1. Foreign matter inside lifter blocking the plungers ability to fill with oil / hold pressure.
This could be dirty oil, fragments of a shop towel or even a chunk of RTV that broke off of a gasket.
2. or Low oil pressure.
3. or the lifters oil galley / passage has blockage, denying oil supply to lifter.
4. Defective lifter.
Because I just swapped the Intake manifold last yr, I vote for number one cause. I must have gotten a little sloppy with RTV & shop towel.
I did find some very interesting info about new lifters. It's been said that there are basically only a couple of companies in the nation that make hyd lifters and that they supply all the cam companies.
And we all know about the past decade of lifter premature wear.
Having said that, when ordering new lifters, it seems Comp Cams has addressed this issue with a coating called Diamond Like Carbon DLC.
It helps with longevity, break-in and perhaps eliminating Flat Tappet failure. Time will tell.
Part number CCA-812D-16.
$124 for the set.
Research shows that a few things can happen to induce a Hyd Flat Tappet to collapse.
1. Foreign matter inside lifter blocking the plungers ability to fill with oil / hold pressure.
This could be dirty oil, fragments of a shop towel or even a chunk of RTV that broke off of a gasket.
2. or Low oil pressure.
3. or the lifters oil galley / passage has blockage, denying oil supply to lifter.
4. Defective lifter.
Because I just swapped the Intake manifold last yr, I vote for number one cause. I must have gotten a little sloppy with RTV & shop towel.
I did find some very interesting info about new lifters. It's been said that there are basically only a couple of companies in the nation that make hyd lifters and that they supply all the cam companies.
And we all know about the past decade of lifter premature wear.
Having said that, when ordering new lifters, it seems Comp Cams has addressed this issue with a coating called Diamond Like Carbon DLC.
It helps with longevity, break-in and perhaps eliminating Flat Tappet failure. Time will tell.
Part number CCA-812D-16.
$124 for the set.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
Likes: 7,780
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
First I've heard of this coating. If it works as advertised it could be very good news for us old school engine owners.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
After some thought about this, I decided to bite the bullet and buy 16 new lifters from Summit., arrived minutes ago.
Research shows that a few things can happen to induce a Hyd Flat Tappet to collapse.
1. Foreign matter inside lifter blocking the plungers ability to fill with oil / hold pressure.
This could be dirty oil, fragments of a shop towel or even a chunk of RTV that broke off of a gasket.
2. or Low oil pressure.
3. or the lifters oil galley / passage has blockage, denying oil supply to lifter.
4. Defective lifter.
Because I just swapped the Intake manifold last yr, I vote for number one cause. I must have gotten a little sloppy with RTV & shop towel.
I did find some very interesting info about new lifters. It's been said that there are basically only a couple of companies in the nation that make hyd lifters and that they supply all the cam companies.
And we all know about the past decade of lifter premature wear.
Having said that, when ordering new lifters, it seems Comp Cams has addressed this issue with a coating called Diamond Like Carbon DLC.
It helps with longevity, break-in and perhaps eliminating Flat Tappet failure. Time will tell.
Part number CCA-812D-16.
$124 for the set.
Research shows that a few things can happen to induce a Hyd Flat Tappet to collapse.
1. Foreign matter inside lifter blocking the plungers ability to fill with oil / hold pressure.
This could be dirty oil, fragments of a shop towel or even a chunk of RTV that broke off of a gasket.
2. or Low oil pressure.
3. or the lifters oil galley / passage has blockage, denying oil supply to lifter.
4. Defective lifter.
Because I just swapped the Intake manifold last yr, I vote for number one cause. I must have gotten a little sloppy with RTV & shop towel.
I did find some very interesting info about new lifters. It's been said that there are basically only a couple of companies in the nation that make hyd lifters and that they supply all the cam companies.
And we all know about the past decade of lifter premature wear.
Having said that, when ordering new lifters, it seems Comp Cams has addressed this issue with a coating called Diamond Like Carbon DLC.
It helps with longevity, break-in and perhaps eliminating Flat Tappet failure. Time will tell.
Part number CCA-812D-16.
$124 for the set.
I know a lot of people use the Delphi stock style lifters in performance builds because of all the sourcing games played by the aftermarket suppliers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
I have had no issues with them I admit I only have a few thousand miles on them though. Im using them with a comp xr270hr and 1.6 RR. Rock auto has raised the price a bit since I bought mine for like $120 shipped for the whole set a few years back.