This is on a new motor with ~350 miles on the motor. There is a VERY annoying tick at Idle, while revving, and while driving on the pass. side. I have changed the exhaust gastket, but nothing. I went through all the rockers, but the tick continues. It is hard to pin point exactly where it is coming from. The lifters are brand new and the push rods are hardend chromemoly ones. I have some Comp 1.6 RR's, and AFR guidplates. Is there anyway I can pinpoint what is the problem? It sometimes sounds like its and exhaust leak, and others it sounds like valve train.
A friend told me he thought it was a collapsed lifter?! What would cause a collapsed lifter? (These are brand new)
And another thinks that it could be a bent pushrod or exhaust leak.
I have revved my car to 6700. do u think that this could have messed up my lifter, or bent a pushrod?

sorry about all the q's. but this tick is Very annoying/embarrasing, and it is setting off my Knock sensor. Thanks for your help

 

Have you checked your spark plugs lately? Mine was making a loud ticking that turned out to be loose spark plugs.

Good Luck!

 

One of your rockers could have come a little loose but only noticable when the crank is in a certain position.

Take off the valve cover on the side that the ticking is coming from.

If you can't visually tell, start the car.

Sparkplugs is a good suggestion too.

 

I already went through the spark plugs just now, all snug. I think i will try and get the pass. side pushrods out towmorrow and see if they are straight.

 

I have that tick as well. Checked/changed plugs. New wires, changed to guideplates and comp magnum RR, no change in tick. Changed from exahust manifolds to headers, no change. EXACTLY as you describe it. I think it might be the lifter. But I am going to be doing a cam/lifter/head change soon so I hope to find it. It is anoying.

 

If i were to pull the lifters how would i go about finding out which one is the culprit? Is there a distinctive visible way to tell if a lifter is collapsed?

 

Yes the lifter is collapsed did you let your motor break in at all before taking it above 4000 rpms. I am waiting 1500-2000 miles or untill i can put synthetic oil in till i floor it. This comes from over reving, no oil/dirty oil, bad oil pump, high heat. You cant just floor a new motor unless its a drag motor for like 5 passes and boom. You could be lucky and have a loose rocker. if your wanna rig it put tranny fluid in with the oil for 30 min and drain. Should pump it back up for a while.

 

Yea the motor had alot of idleing prior to me driving, I just took it to 6700. I dont think i should have to wait 2000 miles before i step on it.

So a collapsed lifter is "revivalable" I was under the impression that I would have to replace the lifter. Is this not true?

 

Well you thought wrong none of you parts settled into place. I cant imagine pulling 6700 on a motor that has 0 miles. Rings just dont seat them self, and at the least you wait 1000miles on any new motor dont care if its an 02 ls1 or Honda. Yes to do it right you should pull all lifters. Dumb mistake but a learning exp i guess . Do your self a favor when u fix the problem let the motor break in.

 

Okay an addition to the story:

I took the pass. side valve cover off and determined the #2 cylinder intake valve train was making the noise. I took off the #1 rocker, and wallah no tick. I looked down at the valve seal and it was no longer around the valve guide boss. It was riding the valve stem. Could the seal have been causing that loud tick? Or is there a possiblity I have a sticking valve guide? I will prolly pull the spring towmorrow. but i would just like some opnions.
Thanks guys for all your help.

 

Chris, have you gotten a final understanding of the problem yet? Mine has the same problem and I thought it was a weak spring so I swapped it but the tick still occured. Would be great if its just a valve guide but not worth going through the hassle of checking unless that was the culprit.

Hal

 

Is the sound at all like a knocking sound, because I am having a similar problem.

 

I had that problem and it was a loose rocker and a hole in my PVC valve.