i just installed my own head and cam setup. MTI 2e heads and x1 cam. Anyways before i fired it up for the first time i disconnected the injectors and coils. when i first turned it over i heard a knockng/ ticking noise. i did not know what to think. I pluged in everything back in and fired it up thinking that the lifters were not pumped up. well i started it up and the noise was noticably loud. ran it for about 30 sec and shut it off. disconnected my fuel and ignition again and had my wife crank it over again. the noise was from the driver side really noticable under the oil filter. I did not really hear too much noise up top but really heard it down low it almosts sounds like a playing card in a bicyle spoke. I ran it a longer for about 15 minutes and it ran pretty good with my foot on the thorttle holding between 1000-2000 rpm. and now when i crank it over with out fireing it up the noise is gone, but still there when it runs it almost seems to be getting a little quieter. Any advise would be really appricated alotthe time and it really seam. I have bought new clevite lifters set and a new set of lifter trays. Could it be a weak lifter that is really stubborn to pump up or was weekend by the heaver springs. And would a lifter sound like somthing knocking on the oil pan. I am new to the ls1 motor and really need some advise and maybe some mental reassurance.

Please help

 

It sounds like your valves are hitting the pistons. Did you check piston to valve clearance? I hope I'm wrong, but that would be my first guess.

 

Did you degree or install the cam dot to dot? How did you prep the lifters for installation? Have you pulled the valve covers to ensure the rocker bolts are still tight?

I don't know if that cam requires fly cutting, but you made want to do a search on that.

 

the heads and cam set up was previously installed on another car. The lifters were soaked in oil for about a day before install. then it took about 3 week after i installed the engine into the car before i started it up. Also while i had the motor all back together i cranked it over by hand a couple of times before i put it back into the car. what would a bad lifter sound like? when i installed the cam i had a friend help me and he has done a handfull of h/c installs so i know he know what he is doing. we put the cam dot to dot with the crank

 

ttt

 

To check for a bad lifter I usually push down on the pushrod into the lifter. If it feels soft or spongy the lifter is collapsed. Are you sure the pushrods were seated into the lifter cup? I had thios problem with my Head swap on my 400. The pushrod actually came out of the lifter cup and made a horrible ticking noise.

 

Thanks for the reply, we are suppose to get about 15-17 inches of snow so I will have the whole weekend to check the pushrods and lifters out.

 

well i finally got it all back together tonight, with all new clevite lifters. BINGO!!!!. It was a little loud for the first couple seconds then quiet. I mean it has the normal valvetrain clicking but no more bottom end noise. I am so happy right now i could scream. Thanks for everyones help and advise, i really appricate it alot. Time for a drink, how about some grey goose, sound good to me.