Doesn't that just suck. Sorry you're having to through this. I enjoy wrenching way more when doing upgrades vs fixing stuff that shouldn't break. Hang in there. Hopefully, it's something easy and cheap to repair.

 

Appreciate the encouragement. Pretty bummed, honestly. Hopefully, it is something simple.

Just in case I just placed orders for parts. If it is the lifters, hopefully Johnson will warranty them. Ordered BRT LS9 head gaskets, replacement LS9 cam, LS3 water pump, and BTR shaft rocker system. Also ordered Johnson 2116LSR link bar lifters. If it is a lifter problem again, I will be ditching the trays.

Will keep this thread updated.

Thanks again, sir.

 

when you replaced the lifters, did you also replace the cam at the same time. bad lifters can damage the cam

 

No but I inspected it thoroughly and there was no damage to the cam. I had caught the problem before the lifter totally failed. I did have a replacement cam ready to go in if necessary but didn't need to.

 

So update. TLDR: no noise today when trying to duplicate the conditions no matter what I tried.

Got back home from work today and started checking for any problems. Nothing obvious. No coolant leaks from the water pump or any other leaks of any kind. Belt alignment is good. HB is good (put on a Powerbond Race when I did the work previously).

Started car up without the belt on and no noises at idle or revving up to 5K rpms (yesterday, noise would start at about 2K rpms). But car was cold.

I put the belt back on and let the car idle and get up to operating temp. Tried to make it do what it was doing yesterday and nothing. Not a peep.

Took the car on a short drive to pick up a prescription at the store. Very similar driving to what I did yesterday when the noise started. And again nothing.

Got back home and revved car and nothing. Took the belt off again with the car up to temp and no difference.

So I have no idea what is going on.

I am thinking it could still be one of the idler pulleys; my car has 4 total (1 extra because of the E-force).

The only major difference between today and yesterday is that yesterday it has been very low humidity as it has been dry here for the last few weeks. And overnight and today is rained a lot and is extremely humid. So it went from low humidity to tropical humidity. Could that have affected a bearing in idler pulley? The grease goes from very dry to rehydrated which would lubricate the bearing better? I am thinking this could have affected a bearing in an idler pulley. I don't think humidity would affect a lifter at all. And when my lifter failed before, the noise was constant whether at idle or any RPM. Just a guess.

This is the kind of **** that is very aggravating. Going to monitor things and see what happens.

I think I will still replace the water pump as it is 12 years old now even though only 40K miles. Also, will still install the BTR shaft rocker system. I am also going to pull all the idler pulleys and re-grease the bearings just in case.

 

You took a very measured and conservative path choosing a cam. I remember advising you to go more aggressive on your cam choice. The fact that you have more valve train troubles baffles me. My n/a build includes a cam with .620 lift. I have 30 or 40K miles on the build. I changed the valve springs (BTR Platinum dual springs) and stock rocker arms a few thousand miles ago. I buzz it to 7000 rpm quite often. I put new drag radials on it today and visited 7K 6 or 7 times.

I would bet that a totally dry serp belt wouldn't grip as well as one that's been in higher humidity. Not saying that a wet belt grips better, just that a more pliable belt would.

 

Hmm, that is a good point about the belt. Could have been slipping yesterday and gripping better today because of humidity. I am going to change the belt as well. It is the original belt that I added at the same time as the E-force and that was over 4 years ago.

And yes, I don't think anyone would argue that the LS9 cam is tame by most measures. But my main goal was reliability/stability of the engine at its current power level. I hope it is not the valve train and I am crossing my fingers it is not that. The likelihood that I would have another lifter especially a Johnson start to go out on an LS9 cam, I would think the chances are very low.

I am encouraged by the fact that the noise was not there today. If it is a failing lifter, I would think that it would make noise no matter what.

Thanks for your advice and kind words.

 

Man I hate that you’re going through this… I know all too well how aggravating it is chasing an unwanted noise, especially when you’re concerned it might be motor related. I think it was a good idea upgrading to the 2110R’s, it sounds like your noise might not be valvetrain related. I wish I could say the same for mine!
What pushrod length did you have with the Morel lifters? And with the Johnsons you said you ended up with 7.375 to put you at .050?

 

I know we all tend to freak out over weird noises coming from our engines. My mind immediately went to potential lifter problems.

I replaced the water pump over the weekend. The old one still spun okay but did have some side to side play in the bearings. I think the belt was slipping and that was the noise I was hearing. The pulley also did not have anymore paint where the belt contacted which makes me think it has been slipping for a while.

Also, changed the drive belt. The old one was not bad but did have some wear. There was some indication of slipping on the backside of the belt; only pulley that would happen on would be the water pump.

Also, installed the BTR shaft rocker bearing kit. Its something I had been wanting to do for a while. It very well made and fit perfect. Pretty much eliminates any side to side deflection of the rocker arms. No change needed to the pushrod length. Install was also very easy. Use my vice to press out the old bearings using a Summit Racing tool. Pressed in the new bearings and installed pair of rocker arms onto the support. That then went onto the heads as a single assembly. I upgraded to ARP studs previously so it made install very quick. Just was careful to tighten all the nuts a little at a time.

Started up just fine and no noises. Will drive the car the next several days and monitor things.

In regards to the pushrod length I used with the Morels, it was a 7.375. Switching to the Johnson's, preload was at 0.050 with the same length rods so no change needed there.



Passengers side shaft rockers installed.

Both rocker assemblies.