Ok, so I have searched through everything I could find, and I know the source of this ticking could be anything from rockers, lifters, exhaust leak, etc. However, my car only does this under load while driving...Can I eliminate any of these culprits based on this info? At idle and even while revving the car at a stop, there is no noise whatsoever. So, is there anything it COULDN'T be? Thanks guys.

 

Engine load seems to make exhaust leaks more noticeable. That is where I would look first.

 

First make sure all spark plugs are in tight...Alot of 96 lt1 cars seem to suffer from the the #7 or #8 plug backing out?? Ive personaly Ive seen it happen to 4 96 cars here.

If all the plugs check out OK start at the manifold flanges and look for visual signs of leaks ( you will see some black soot "carbon" at any leal points.. also check the flange on the Y pipe coming from the driver side manifold for the same thing.

Rocker arm would be noticed more at idle or at High RPM and a collapsed lifter would tick horrible at idle also.

One more thing....Make sure you not running bad gas and getting severe knock because that will 100% cause and LOUD tick under a load only!!

Hope this helps!! and feel free to Email me with futher ?s

 

i would say exhaust leak.

 

My 93Z does the same thing under load. It's a very faint ticking sound. I'm almost positive it's an exhaust leak where my headers connect to the y-pipe. Looks like I'll need to get some gasket material and make my own gaskets.

 

thanks guys! I am hoping that its just an exhaust leak rather than something engine wise...I will check all the plugs this weekend just to be sure. What is the best way of tracking down an exhaust leak?

As far as the gas goes, it has been doing it for quite a while and I use different gas stations so I dont think thats it. Could be wrong though. I added a bottle of octane boost just cause I thought it might be bad gas too but it still ticks. Thanks for the help.

 

Find the vacume line running from the manifold to the brake booster.......Disconnect it at the brake booster and poor a little ATF fluid down it........this will cause it to smoke where ever there is a leak.
Oh yeah make sure the car is running while doing this.

 

any pics anywhere or can someone maybe point me in the right direction? I dont want to screw this up by doing the wrong thing. Sorry guys, Ive never really messed with this stuff before.

 

I have been having the same problem , I have done some research on mine and I think the MAF is my culprit , I wont know for sure untill i put my new one on this afternoon

My car is actually throwing a MAF code anyways though

From what i have read it could be several different things
plugs , wires , some have cleaned the maf , bad gas , intake leak , un metered air getting in from a ripped elbow