multiple annoying engine ticks...getting louder!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 866
Likes: 22
From: Savannah GA
multiple annoying engine ticks...getting louder!
I was about to do a head and lifter swap on my 174k mile '98 as preventative maintenance when I noticed that the noise it has been making has gotten worse. I have the lifter tick because of the cam, I'm used to that. I fixed an exhaust pinhole that was another noise. Now I have a tick that is most noticeable at low RPM under load (like taking off and letting off the clutch) and it does NOT go away when it gets warm.
Engine has always been taken care of, but considering the following, I was thinking it had to be something in the bottom end. So I think I might end up looking for an LS6 block now. I have a brand new GM LS1 rotating assembly I could stuff into one. I would rather keep this one going, since if I did a swap now, it would be a temporary thing. Im hoping it's something small.
I just put new plugs and O2's in it, still runs fine, still makes good power. Other than a cam and spring swap, the engine has never been opened up. I even put new rocker arms on it(stock) a couple years back. I seafoamed it twice, once 3 months ago, but did not let the stuff sit in the chambers overnight, I sucked one can into the engine, and another went into the gas tank.
It's running on it's first 1000 miles of a royal purple oil change.
It's getting to the point where it is getting embarrassing. You wont hear it at speed with the radio on, but the minute you turn it down, you can hear it clear as day.
Any ideas here? I have to decide to do a head/lifter swap or an engine, and since I need a clutch now too, I dont have tons of cash to funnel into it. I'm also trying to close on a house
I cant tell if it's a collapsed lifter or a loose piston rattling around.
Engine has always been taken care of, but considering the following, I was thinking it had to be something in the bottom end. So I think I might end up looking for an LS6 block now. I have a brand new GM LS1 rotating assembly I could stuff into one. I would rather keep this one going, since if I did a swap now, it would be a temporary thing. Im hoping it's something small.
I just put new plugs and O2's in it, still runs fine, still makes good power. Other than a cam and spring swap, the engine has never been opened up. I even put new rocker arms on it(stock) a couple years back. I seafoamed it twice, once 3 months ago, but did not let the stuff sit in the chambers overnight, I sucked one can into the engine, and another went into the gas tank.
It's running on it's first 1000 miles of a royal purple oil change.
It's getting to the point where it is getting embarrassing. You wont hear it at speed with the radio on, but the minute you turn it down, you can hear it clear as day.
Any ideas here? I have to decide to do a head/lifter swap or an engine, and since I need a clutch now too, I dont have tons of cash to funnel into it. I'm also trying to close on a house
I cant tell if it's a collapsed lifter or a loose piston rattling around.
Last edited by dhirocz; Feb 19, 2009 at 06:05 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 480
Likes: 16
From: chicago il
I would take the valve covers off and inspect the rockers with that many miles you can expect to be missing some roller bearings.. what cam are you running if on xer lobes you can expect to change valve springs every 10-15k miles
