Hey guys,

Here is the deal. I have a 1995 convertible T/A LT-1 w/ 52k miles. The car runs great no apparent problems; however, the upper end of the motor (more than likely the rocker arms) make a clickity clack sound when the rpm's go up (not at idle) and mainly when cruising. The motor is not starving for oil and it isn't real loud. Is this common amongst LT-1 motors? Being that it has hydraulic lifters the rocker arms should never need adjusting but what would you guys recommend?

I'm not worried at all about this, I would like to try and quiet it up some if possible. I even thought about maybe adding some stamped steel roller tipped rockers and push rods if I had to pull the valve covers off. Does the motor come w/ roller tipped rockers? If I went with a needle bearing forged aluminum set I probably would need screw in studs and the heads may need clearancing. I don't want to get into any major work either so I'm nixing that idea.

Please let me know your expirience or thoughts with my issue, dilemma etc... Again, it is not terribly loud I'm just particular about my stuff and I like everything to be as close to perfect (if that is possible) as it can be.

Thanks in advance for your time.

 

Is it when you are in a high gear, and try to give the engine load? If that's the case, then it's pretty normal, for almost any car. If you hear it just when cruising at a constant speed, you might want to try readjusting the rockers. I never heard mine that much when they were the stock rockers.

The stock rockers are regular stamped rockers, not roller tipped.

Dan

 

Stock rockers should be almost silent. You can add new roller rockers pretty easily. You can buy self aligning ones for 3/8" stud that will replace your stock ones direct bolt on. If i were to go threw this trouble i would upgrade to 7/16" screw in stud, non self aligning 1.6 ratio rockers and get some guid plates. Get some more power, but you have to remember that roller rockers WILL make noise.

 

Damn! you guys are quick. I guess you can say it is when it is under a load is when the noise is prominent. It alsmot sounds like a constant knocking or pinging from the motor but I know that isn't so. When idleing I can but my ear close to the valvecover and that is when you here the noise.

I'm not a mechanic but I am pretty knowledgable when it comes to wrenching. I wouldn't hesitate to pull the valve covers to adjust the rockers if this is a common thing for F-bodys. Well I'll hear you guys out and make a decision on what to do.

Thanks again!

 

First thing i would do is re adjust the rockers. If you havent done it before, id follow shoeboxes guide ( www.shbox.com )

 

Are you sure the valvetrain is stock (have you owned the car since new?). If it has self aligning roller rockers, it can get pretty noisy. My comp Pro Mag rockers are noisy (to me) even though they are adjusted right. It isn't a problem, its just how they sound.

BTW you don't need to machine anything to install these rockers.

Dustin

 

I don't think I've ever seen an LT1 without some sort of top end tap. I wouldn't worry about it.... Just one of those things.

 

I agree. Iam on my 3rd LT1, and this one is totally stock (previous ones I installed roller rockers) and it is noisey at times.

 

Same here.I only notice it at idle with the hood up though.Tried everything to eliminate it,Seems to be a common thing with these engines.

 

I have had a rocker slight tap since day one as well. I also discovered that one source of taps was the waterpump drive gear, when I went to an elec pump on a freinds car that of course had noise some of it disapeard.

 

some type of rapping or tapping is coming from my valvetrain as well. its ONLY above the 7th(???) cylinder (drivers side closest to firewall) and it happens not just when the motor is cold but if it is cut off for even a second or two after the motor is warm. once the motor has been going for a minute its quiets. its been bothering me for a month now. what could be wrong and what should i do??

and btw i am completely stock.

 

chrisn- have you checked for exhaust leaks, including the EGR tube to manifol conection and EGR?

 

no i havent. should I? i was 100% sure it was coming from inside the valve cover. why would an exhaust leak cause my symptoms?

 

any other thoughts on this?

 

My rockers tap like crazy but idle is stable and steady. I really dislike it but I've readjusted them twice so I said forget it. Mine are stock btw. The thing I hate the most is pulling into a fast food drive threw just sitting in line and my clicking rockers are echoing off the wall. btw I also have 145k on the clock.