Rocker and pushrod removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
Rocker and pushrod removal
Is it as simple as removing the rocker arm bolt, pulling the pushrod then reinstall and torque to correct spec? I wanted to check length and for damage because of a loud peck I have on a cold motor.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 714
Likes: 104
From: Springfield Ohio
There are plenty of videos on YouTube on how to measure pushrod length. You'll need an eight inch caliper to measure accurately. Use a caliper, don't fiddle with counting the number of turns on the pushrod checker. Counting turns on the checker isn't precise. Also put a couple of turns of teflon tape on the threads of the checker tool. The tape will keep the checker halves from turning too easily and ensure accurate readings.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,977
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From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ngth-help.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ml#post8290983
Preload requirement will vary by lifter.
Last edited by 93Polo; Mar 14, 2018 at 05:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
There are plenty of videos on YouTube on how to measure pushrod length. You'll need an eight inch caliper to measure accurately. Use a caliper, don't fiddle with counting the number of turns on the pushrod checker. Counting turns on the checker isn't precise. Also put a couple of turns of teflon tape on the threads of the checker tool. The tape will keep the checker halves from turning too easily and ensure accurate readings.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 714
Likes: 104
From: Springfield Ohio
If the engine is stock, and all you're doing is checking for bent pushrods, then there is no need to measure them. If one is bent, buy a new one at a Chevrolet dealer in the stock length. A digital caliper can be used to measure, no problem. I think stock pushrods are are 7.4" long so a caliper must be 8 or more inches long to measure with. I wouldn't mix pushrods though unless a replacement is an OEM pushrod. Otherwise, all 16 should be from the same manufacturer and be the same length, diameter and construction material. Valve lash noise can come from many sources, such as low oil pressure, a collapsed lifter, worn lifters, etc.
Once you're satisfied that everything that you can inspect looks OK, make sure you have clean oil and a new oil filter before you go too much further. Some engines do make more valve train noise than others.
Once you're satisfied that everything that you can inspect looks OK, make sure you have clean oil and a new oil filter before you go too much further. Some engines do make more valve train noise than others.
Last edited by tbrowne; Mar 14, 2018 at 09:20 PM. Reason: Fix wording.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
If the engine is stock, and all you're doing is checking for bent pushrods, then there is no need to measure them. If one is bent, buy a new one at a Chevrolet dealer in the stock length. A digital caliper can be used to measure, no problem. I think stock pushrods are are 7.4" long so a caliper must be 8 or more inches long to measure with. I wouldn't mix pushrods though unless a replacement is an OEM pushrod. Otherwise, all 16 should be from the same manufacturer and be the same length, diameter and construction material. Valve lash noise can come from many sources, such as low oil pressure, a collapsed lifter, worn lifters, etc.
Once you're satisfied that everything that you can inspect looks OK, make sure you have clean oil and a new oil filter before you go too much further. Some engines do make more valve train noise than others.
Once you're satisfied that everything that you can inspect looks OK, make sure you have clean oil and a new oil filter before you go too much further. Some engines do make more valve train noise than others.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
Bent pushrod could be possible. Keep the rocker and pushrods in order and look at the tips of the pushrods, tips of the valves, and the points they contact on the rocker looking for any that are wearing differently.
Exhaust leaks have been known to tick then go away.
Does the car have a rocker trunion upgrade? They can be a bit louder at start up especially if the car sits for a while.
Take a good look at the valve springs, LS6s have been known to break factory springs. It would not be a bad idea to replace them. They are not that expensive and relatively easy to do. If it was a spring I would think the noise would not go away.
Exhaust leaks have been known to tick then go away.
Does the car have a rocker trunion upgrade? They can be a bit louder at start up especially if the car sits for a while.
Take a good look at the valve springs, LS6s have been known to break factory springs. It would not be a bad idea to replace them. They are not that expensive and relatively easy to do. If it was a spring I would think the noise would not go away.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
Bent pushrod could be possible. Keep the rocker and pushrods in order and look at the tips of the pushrods, tips of the valves, and the points they contact on the rocker looking for any that are wearing differently.
Exhaust leaks have been known to tick then go away.
Does the car have a rocker trunion upgrade? They can be a bit louder at start up especially if the car sits for a while.
Take a good look at the valve springs, LS6s have been known to break factory springs. It would not be a bad idea to replace them. They are not that expensive and relatively easy to do. If it was a spring I would think the noise would not go away.
Exhaust leaks have been known to tick then go away.
Does the car have a rocker trunion upgrade? They can be a bit louder at start up especially if the car sits for a while.
Take a good look at the valve springs, LS6s have been known to break factory springs. It would not be a bad idea to replace them. They are not that expensive and relatively easy to do. If it was a spring I would think the noise would not go away.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,977
Likes: 487
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
When I first heard it I crossed my fingers it was an exhaust leak or a plug backing out but it's definately not... at least I'm about 99% sure its not... rocker trunions are stock and I had my springs replaced immediately after buying the car, I replaced the yellow springs with the updated blue set. I doesnt sound like bent pushrod videos I have watched on youtube but I guess one could be slightly bent enough to cause lifter preload issues. Maybe once it warms up and expands thats why it goes away
As Tbrowne said, some LS motors are just louder than others. I have noticed my LQ4 in my truck that it runs louder on Valvoline 5w30 than Mobil1 5W30 despite the Valvoline being ranked as equal if not better oil.
https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/201...-test-ranking/
Last edited by 93Polo; Mar 14, 2018 at 11:09 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Remove and install with lifters on the base circle. There is a GM procedure for doing so. If stock, length isn't in question, only damage.
Last edited by vettenuts; Mar 15, 2018 at 08:08 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 51
There are plenty of videos on YouTube on how to measure pushrod length. You'll need an eight inch caliper to measure accurately. Use a caliper, don't fiddle with counting the number of turns on the pushrod checker. Counting turns on the checker isn't precise. Also put a couple of turns of teflon tape on the threads of the checker tool. The tape will keep the checker halves from turning too easily and ensure accurate readings.
Good advice with the tape. I did the same but went threw hell . Get Manton pushrods. The best
