i have a tap at idle that goes away when i rev it up slightly. comes back when it goes back to idle. i pulled driver valve cover and everything seemed normal. i have hardened pushrods but reused stock lifters when i rebuilt the motor at 52k miles. it has 83k now. its a pretty good tap. i definlty have a leak at the y-pipe and header connection on pass side (bolts so rusted cant tighten it)so im gonna fix that before i get too worried. is a tap at idle that goes away when you give it a lil gas consistant with any specific problems? i use mobil one 10-30 and have a melling high pressure/high volume pump. kev

 

Make sure all of your spark plugs are tight.

 

A tapping or ticking noise is normal. LT1s have notoriously loud valvetrains.

A "clacking" noise, however, is not normal.

 

thanks for the replies guys. ill check the plugs although im pretty sure i checked them not too long ago. im sure that it isnt a normal noise. im used to all the usual noises and this one is new. it started on a really cold day when i started it up. its a single sounding tap like its one thing. no matter which side of engine im on it sounds like the other side. ill fix the exhaust leak ,check the plugs ,readjust valves then ill post results . thanks kev

 

Not sure if this helps you any or not...

I had the same sort of sound before I installed my new cam, although it was more of a "clack" than a "tick". I would notice it most often after stopping for a stop sign and then accelerating...the "ticking" or "clacking" would rise with the RPMs and then become random after easing off the throttle (with an auto tranny...don't know if it would be the same with a manual). It turned out to be the lifters (and the fact that the springs were worn to the point that they were barely doing anything). The new valvetrain parts installed during the cam swap (springs, retainers, and especially the lifters...they were the most hosed) fixed the problem.

 

mine does this a well, but it's only coming from one cylinder. I was told it was the lifters, and that it was normal. Especially in LT1's. When I can scrounge up enough time and money, I'll most likely throw some new onesin there.