lifter noise
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: JACKSON MS
lifter noise
I have a zz3 engine in my 87 vette. Engine runs good, but the problem I am having is lifter noise. I change spring, studs, and rockers. The engine had about 3000 miles on it when I installed it. I have put about 7000 additional miles on it. Could these lifters have gone bad just sitting for over a year? or were there some other problems with these engines.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Do you have good oil pressure?
You may want to check to make sure the studs have not backed out. Did you by chance put longer rocker arms on the engine? If so you my have contact issue. Remove the valve covers an look for "witness marks" on the valve stems/guide plates....you may have a pushrod contact problem. Witness marks occur from normal wear and tear...check for any unusal wear marks -- make sure the pushrods are not bottoming out on guideplates and that rocker arms are not riding up/down the side of the valve stems.
You may want to check to make sure the studs have not backed out. Did you by chance put longer rocker arms on the engine? If so you my have contact issue. Remove the valve covers an look for "witness marks" on the valve stems/guide plates....you may have a pushrod contact problem. Witness marks occur from normal wear and tear...check for any unusal wear marks -- make sure the pushrods are not bottoming out on guideplates and that rocker arms are not riding up/down the side of the valve stems.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: JACKSON MS
I put on 1.6 rockers. The noise remains even with the covers off. checked oil pressure running at 40 psi at idle and 60 psi at 2000rpm.They are screw in studs. Injectors are new. even after injector replacement, noise still remain. Where can I find a good cheap set of lifters? I also tried to adjust the noise out but it didn't help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
I put on 1.6 rockers. The noise remains even with the covers off. checked oil pressure running at 40 psi at idle and 60 psi at 2000rpm.They are screw in studs. Injectors are new. even after injector replacement, noise still remain. Where can I find a good cheap set of lifters? I also tried to adjust the noise out but it didn't help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
noise
1. take the rocker cover off on one side.
2. loosen and remove 1 rocker
3. clean the valve stem and retainer so it is free of oil
4. clean the rocker so it is free of oil.
5. take a sharpie, and make the valve stem totally black (the part that the rocker slides on)
6. unclip the distributor power wire
7. put the rocker back on with a little preload
8. spin the engine with the starter, do not start.
9. take the rocker that you cleaned back off.
10 inspect the area that the rocker wiped on the valve stem.
11 if it was in the center third of the valve,you need lifters
12 if the wear mark was out of the center third of the valve, you need different pushrods.
13. inspect the throat of the rocker ands see if the spring retainer is touching it.
14. inspect the retainer and spring to see if they are bottoming the springs with 1.6 rockers.
you may have to adjust the pushrods/rocker ratio to regain clearances.
a zz3 engine has solid lifters doesn't it? zz4 engines have the LT-4 hotcam with hydraulic lifters.
2. loosen and remove 1 rocker
3. clean the valve stem and retainer so it is free of oil
4. clean the rocker so it is free of oil.
5. take a sharpie, and make the valve stem totally black (the part that the rocker slides on)
6. unclip the distributor power wire
7. put the rocker back on with a little preload
8. spin the engine with the starter, do not start.
9. take the rocker that you cleaned back off.
10 inspect the area that the rocker wiped on the valve stem.
11 if it was in the center third of the valve,you need lifters
12 if the wear mark was out of the center third of the valve, you need different pushrods.
13. inspect the throat of the rocker ands see if the spring retainer is touching it.
14. inspect the retainer and spring to see if they are bottoming the springs with 1.6 rockers.
you may have to adjust the pushrods/rocker ratio to regain clearances.
a zz3 engine has solid lifters doesn't it? zz4 engines have the LT-4 hotcam with hydraulic lifters.
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Sep 5, 2007 at 07:06 PM. Reason: info
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
1. take the rocker cover off on one side.
2. loosen and remove 1 rocker
3. clean the valve stem and retainer so it is free of oil
4. clean the rocker so it is free of oil.
5. take a sharpie, and make the valve stem totally black (the part that the rocker slides on)
6. unclip the distributor power wire
7. put the rocker back on with a little preload
8. spin the engine with the starter, do not start.
9. take the rocker that you cleaned back off.
10 inspect the area that the rocker wiped on the valve stem.
11 if it was in the center third of the valve,you need lifters
12 if the wear mark was out of the center third of the valve, you need different pushrods.
13. inspect the throat of the rocker ands see if the spring retainer is touching it.
14. inspect the retainer and spring to see if they are bottoming the springs with 1.6 rockers.
you may have to adjust the pushrods/rocker ratio to regain clearances.
a zz3 engine has solid lifters doesn't it? zz4 engines have the LT-4 hotcam with hydraulic lifters.
2. loosen and remove 1 rocker
3. clean the valve stem and retainer so it is free of oil
4. clean the rocker so it is free of oil.
5. take a sharpie, and make the valve stem totally black (the part that the rocker slides on)
6. unclip the distributor power wire
7. put the rocker back on with a little preload
8. spin the engine with the starter, do not start.
9. take the rocker that you cleaned back off.
10 inspect the area that the rocker wiped on the valve stem.
11 if it was in the center third of the valve,you need lifters
12 if the wear mark was out of the center third of the valve, you need different pushrods.
13. inspect the throat of the rocker ands see if the spring retainer is touching it.
14. inspect the retainer and spring to see if they are bottoming the springs with 1.6 rockers.
you may have to adjust the pushrods/rocker ratio to regain clearances.
a zz3 engine has solid lifters doesn't it? zz4 engines have the LT-4 hotcam with hydraulic lifters.
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