Light, Intermittent Lifter noise
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
Well here is the last vid I’m posting of the tick in idle after driving back home from work. Engine was nice and hot, when I happened to notice it, over all louder and more consistent than previous vids. I plan to remove valve covers to inspect during weekend.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
Headers were torqued to spec with Mahle header gaskets (multi-layer steel); no leaks. Anyways, thought I'd throw an update. I reordered cyl head bolts, head gaskets, exhaust gaskets, and 4 new LS7 lifters were sent to me free of charge to help solve the problem. I should only need 1 anyway. I also learned something I didn't know, and not sure if this has anything to do with this BUT APPARENTLY the LS7 lifters have a cup seat height that is 0.050" higher than the stock LS1 lifters. If that is true, then the pushrods I have might be wrong ones after all. I have the 7.400" and maybe I should've gotten the 7.350" pushrods, given the fact that the stock heads were kept the same. Anyhow, better safe than sorry so I went ahead and ordered the pushrod length checker from BTR to make sure I don't go through this again. I haven't opened the valve covers yet because I haven't gotten the car yet back from the tuner for my cold starts.
Last edited by turabo87; Feb 15, 2019 at 05:29 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 265
From: Virginia
Headers were torqued to spec with Mahle header gaskets (multi-layer steel); no leaks. Anyways, thought I'd throw an update. I reordered cyl head bolts, head gaskets, exhaust gaskets, and 4 new LS7 lifters were sent to me free of charge to help solve the problem. I should only need 1 anyway. I also learned something I didn't know, and not sure if this has anything to do with this BUT APPARENTLY the LS7 lifters have a cup seat height that is 0.050" higher than the stock LS1 lifters. If that is true, then the pushrods I have might be wrong ones after all. I have the 7.400" and maybe I should've gotten the 7.350" pushrods, given the fact that the stock heads were kept the same. Anyhow, better safe than sorry so I went ahead and ordered the pushrod length checker from BTR to make sure I don't go through this again. I haven't opened the valve covers yet because I haven't gotten the car yet back from the tuner for my cold starts.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
So I called a local shop that’s done LS builds for years and he told me “f*** whatever you’ve read. 7.400 are the correct ones with LS7 lifters put on an LS1”. Contradicting info out there, but I’d rather trust a shop with lots of experience on this one. I’ll still measure the pushrod for my own peace of mind.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 265
From: Virginia
So I called a local shop that’s done LS builds for years and he told me “f*** whatever you’ve read. 7.400 are the correct ones with LS7 lifters put on an LS1”. Contradicting info out there, but I’d rather trust a shop with lots of experience on this one. I’ll still measure the pushrod for my own peace of mind.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
Update: Took car to my tuner to clean up the tune and while he had it he noticed the lifter noise too and recommended to change out. I wanted to try one more thing before taking heads off. Ever since I did my top end rebuild and cam install, I had yet to change the oil and filter and I already put 1000 miles on the car. So the next day I did an oil and filter change along with 1 quart of Rislone Engine Treatment. So that’s 5.5 qts of Mobil 1 10W-30 and 1 qt of Rislone. After the oil change, a couple seconds after startup I ran motor up to 2-3k rpms, the lifter noise quieted down significantly. I’ve been driving the car for last couple of days and so far so good. They’re still a bit noisy when oil temp is cold, but at a fully warmed motor the tick is almost non-existent. It wasn’t just me who noticed too. I had a helper that day I did the oil change and he noticed the quieting too. Still unconvinced, I took the car to a local speedshop that specialize on all types of LS builds and have them take a listen. Tech mechanic couldn’t hear any abnormal lifter noise with motor fully warm (had it at about 190-200F). All normal valvetrain noise according to him.
I still plan on removing the valve covers and check for pushback on the rocker arms on a cold motor, but so far it looks like I might just had a dirty lifter. Could have gotten dirty during the build process, after all I had the car at the shop for 2 weeks and lots of work was done; random dirt or debris could’ve gotten in. I think the final confirmation will be if the checking that rocker arm pushback and confirming the noise doesn’t come back after the next oil change without the Rislone treatment. Guess I should stop worrying by then.
I still plan on removing the valve covers and check for pushback on the rocker arms on a cold motor, but so far it looks like I might just had a dirty lifter. Could have gotten dirty during the build process, after all I had the car at the shop for 2 weeks and lots of work was done; random dirt or debris could’ve gotten in. I think the final confirmation will be if the checking that rocker arm pushback and confirming the noise doesn’t come back after the next oil change without the Rislone treatment. Guess I should stop worrying by then.
Last edited by turabo87; Feb 19, 2019 at 01:46 PM. Reason: correction
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 316
From: USA
Yeah, considering the amount of work to pull the heads... I think it is worthwhile to try any and all logical alternatives first. And it's not like it's a huge issue in the grand scheme of things.
How long are you supposed to run that Rislone stuff-- how long until you change the oil again?
How long are you supposed to run that Rislone stuff-- how long until you change the oil again?
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
Yeah, considering the amount of work to pull the heads... I think it is worthwhile to try any and all logical alternatives first. And it's not like it's a huge issue in the grand scheme of things.
How long are you supposed to run that Rislone stuff-- how long until you change the oil again?
How long are you supposed to run that Rislone stuff-- how long until you change the oil again?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 265
From: Virginia
Exactly my thought process. I have parts already to pull and reinstall heads, but I'd rather exhaust all logical end easier alternatives first. Especially considering it might not change any noise profile after all. As far as the Rislone, I was just planning on running it all the way until the next oil change, probably 3k miles. Shouldn't harm anything in doing so; it's supposed NOT to change the effective viscosity and oil properties of your oil.