C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

92 lt1 lifter noise

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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 12:21 AM
  #1  
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From: ELLICOTT CITY MD
Default 92 lt1 lifter noise

i have had a lifter noise since i purchased the car 2 years ago. the noise is the type of sound you would get if the valves were out of adjustment. the valves have been adjusted three times by different people with the same result. still ticking. the tick is only above idle or only noticable above idle. are all the early lt1 motors noisy like that or do i have something wrong. if so what could it be? lifter bleeding down? thanks for any info you might have.
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 12:25 AM
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If the noise won't go away, I would suspect a bad lifter. Especially if the lifters have a lot of miles on them, or high tension valve springs. Sometimes roller rockers are just noisy though, what brand are your 1.6's?
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 12:40 AM
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mines noisy too,has been since i got it at 31.5k miles.is now at 40k miles.
in 93 there was several noise reducing items added to the lt1.
the cam was even rounded on the backside a little bit to reduce dropoff noise.(this is where the torque increase in 93 came from,it was an unintended plus). there was also some fuel line clamping and exhaust shielding changes,all addressing engine noise.
plug a vacuum gauge on to an engine vacuum source and watch for a quivering needle if you think you have a lifter collapsing,but from what i understand our 92 lt1's are just gonna be a little noisy.
good luck
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 02:11 AM
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Are you sure it is not noisy injectors? My stock injectors are louder on the passenger side and originally I thought it was lifters.
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 08:19 AM
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I read in "Corvette Black Book" that the early LT-1's (92 as I remember) had mucho valve noise. Mine's a 92. (When it was running) It too is/was noisy. Very annoying. Making it worse is noise from the fuel pressure regulator. According to the book, they changed the valve cover material to be more soundproof, but not sure if they are interchangeable. I just decided to live with it. A co-worker has a 94, which was supposed to be quieter, but is about as noisy as my 92.

-GeorgeC
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 09:30 AM
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My 92 sounds like a Singer sewing machine. I think the mag valve covers transmit/and amplify the sound of the valve train. I have muffler elims, so I don't hear the noise much anymore.
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 08:25 PM
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Default Noisy as hell!

I have the same problem with my 92. I took it to a mechanic that has vast experience with the Caprice LT1 cop cars. I asked him to pop off the valve covers to see if he could determine the cause of the racket. He told me it was very typical of these motors and no cause for alarm.

I do agree however that it is somewhat annoying to the extent that it's almost embarrassing at stop lights. It runs great with no apparent ill effects from the clatter so I guess it's just something we have to live with.
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by LT1 Tom
I do agree however that it is somewhat annoying to the extent that it's almost embarrassing at stop lights.
Until the signal goes green and you hit the loud pedal-- embarassment ends, respect begins...
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Old Jul 28, 2004 | 12:47 AM
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My '92 ticks at idle. I was thinking that maybe I had an exhaust manifold leak. But now I'm thinking that it may be just normal noise.
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Old Jul 28, 2004 | 08:16 AM
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Hi,

Mine are also noisy. I also readjusted but to no avail.

Does anyone know if the later valve covers would fit a 1992 and if so would they help?

Thanks,

Steven
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Old Dec 17, 2020 | 12:30 PM
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Default I know this is a old thread but...

Originally Posted by LT1 Tom
I have the same problem with my 92. I took it to a mechanic that has vast experience with the Caprice LT1 cop cars. I asked him to pop off the valve covers to see if he could determine the cause of the racket. He told me it was very typical of these motors and no cause for alarm.

I do agree however that it is somewhat annoying to the extent that it's almost embarrassing at stop lights. It runs great with no apparent ill effects from the clatter so I guess it's just something we have to live with.
I read somewhere that one of the changes for 93 was a new valve cover material that was used to insulate from valve train noise.
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Old Dec 17, 2020 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Rob790
I read somewhere that one of the changes for 93 was a new valve cover material that was used to insulate from valve train noise.
Yep. That was covered in post #5....16 years ago.
Originally Posted by wb2dyb
According to the book, they changed the valve cover material to be more soundproof, but not sure if they are interchangeable.

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Old Dec 17, 2020 | 02:21 PM
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Default I see that now however....

Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
Yep. That was covered in post #5....16 years ago.
.... in my case I can't hear a thing over my fans. I'm going to see if I can get some fan noise reduction with a Spal fan setup.
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Old Dec 18, 2020 | 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by BAM92
Are you sure it is not noisy injectors? My stock injectors are louder on the passenger side and originally I thought it was lifters.
I’d also suspect the injectors as well.

Not sure about 92’s, but the 93 Multec injectors are freaking loud. I chased a ticking noise that I thought was a lifer...well after 3 sets of lifers over the years, and now a brand new engine (different story behind that) it still ticks like crazy. I’m almost positive it’s the stock injectors. Will know for sure next year when I replace them.
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