Need to Ident Noisy Lifter

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Dec 27, 2004 | 11:46 AM

TedH

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Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 1999

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From: Tampa Bay FL

Need to Ident Noisy Lifter

I have a noisy lifter that I need to replace. I've gone the route of eliminating all exhaust noises, valve adjustments and thought I may have resolved with an oil change but the 'tap tap tap' is back. I'm about to dive into the top-end and pull the lifters. Is there any way (using Sun machine?) to identify the suspicious lifter? The car runs fine; just lifter noise. Also, as I pull the lifters, are there any teltale signs that I can look for that would visibly show the offending lifter? I may just replace all 16 and break them in again (worst case scenario). I'll also be inspecting the cam lobes where possible.

Valvetrain: Crane Energizer cam/lifters, Summit hardened moly push rods, Summit stamped steel 1.5R rockers and the DART Iron Eagle heads came assembled from Indy Cylinder Head in Indianapolis, IN.

Thanks!

Dec 27, 2004 | 12:19 PM

Aeromech

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indy member

hey Ted I live In Indy... I'v heard good and bad about I.C.H never used them myself so who knows... Good luck

Dec 27, 2004 | 12:31 PM

bobs77vet

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Joined: Sep 2004

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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedH

Is there any way (using Sun machine?) to identify the suspicious lifter? The car runs fine; just lifter noise. Thanks!

Just thinking out loud here.....wouldn't a noisy lifter have more valve lash then the others??? since its not expanding all the way?

Dec 27, 2004 | 02:33 PM

TedH

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Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 1999

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From: Tampa Bay FL

I found that #7 required more lash than the others... approx 1/4-1/2 turn more to get sound reduction. That was also where the sound appeared the loudest when the valve covers were off. I'd hate to replace only #7 intake/exhaust. Was thinking of also replacing #5 I/E for insurance but I'd really hate to go to the trouble of pulling the intake and replacing gaskets to find there are other cylinders with marginal lifters also. The rebuild has 30K on it (rebuilt summer 1999).

Dec 27, 2004 | 02:39 PM

bobs77vet

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2004

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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedH

not sure what to tell you.... sounds like you have isolated it to #7...new generic hydraulic lifters from Summit are about $60....

Dec 27, 2004 | 02:51 PM

joe73vette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2000

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From: Eastern Connecticut

Have you tried running a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in your oil? It dissolves varnish that often causes noisey lifters. Joe

Dec 27, 2004 | 02:58 PM

Brettmc

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2002

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From: St Louis MO

Lifters are fairly inexpensive. Why not just replace them all? Also, check the lobe lift on the cam while you're in there. You might want to replace that too....

Brett

Dec 27, 2004 | 05:04 PM

TedH

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Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 8,351

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From: Tampa Bay FL

Brett,

To be honest, I really like this cam. Engine doesn't quite produce the HP levels of injected engines but the Torque at the rear wheels compared to some (stock) C5's on the dyno! If the cam lobes are undamaged, I'll just be replacing the full set of lifters.

All, Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be sending my order to Summit or Jegs this week (full set lifters, top end gaskets, and rocker nuts).