Lifter tap question/advice please
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 373
Likes: 21
By the previous owner when he did the cam, but the car only has 16k miles on it. I'm not sure when he did the cam. I was thinking of switching to a bigger cam and doing the full valve train, but the lifters wouldn't be done with the cam unless the heads come off... Which is a lot more money and then do heads too lol
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 373
Likes: 21
Do you know if the heads were pulled? If so, and new pushrods were added, preload could be the issue. If they sized the pushrods on the short end of the spec, when the engine gets really hot, aluminum expands, and could reduce lifter preload by as much as 0.01" putting the preload out of spec. The GM spec is anywhere from 0.05 to 0.1" of preload. However, most people recommend 0.08 to 0.09 preload for the quietest valvetrain.
On the other hand, they could have just re-used the stock ls1 lifters which aren't the greatest with an aftermarket cam especially when the miles start to build up.
Could also have had some sort of contaminant in the lifter that caused it to stick, and you may never see the problem again.
I wouldn't worry about it unless it happens again.
Is this an LS1 or LS6? year?
On the other hand, they could have just re-used the stock ls1 lifters which aren't the greatest with an aftermarket cam especially when the miles start to build up.
Could also have had some sort of contaminant in the lifter that caused it to stick, and you may never see the problem again.
I wouldn't worry about it unless it happens again.
Is this an LS1 or LS6? year?
I'm hoping I never have it come back, just being paranoid, I've gotten on the car many times and this is the first it ever happened. So maybe it was a freak thing but I just don't want to chance it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
if you do decide to tear into it, definitely replace the valve springs. They are prone to failure in some 02-03 z06 models. There is range of vin #'s for the cars with this problem. Research and you can find it. If yours falls within this range, I would definitely replace the springs.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...vins-pics.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...vins-pics.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
A quick check wouldn't hurt. It doesn't take much to get the valve covers off. then you could check for any play in the rockers that would indicate stuck lifters or bad needle bearings. You could also ensure the springs were replaced.
Also, the ticking that you hear from an exhaust leak particularly at the exhaust manifold gasket is valvetrain noise. Might be worth going around all the exhaust manifold bolts and making sure they are snug.
Also, the ticking that you hear from an exhaust leak particularly at the exhaust manifold gasket is valvetrain noise. Might be worth going around all the exhaust manifold bolts and making sure they are snug.
