LS3 lifter tick

[Bo White]

Well, mine has developed a tick on the driver side. With Christmas weeks away I don't have the coin I'm willing to let go to do a cam swap since a bunch of other things need to be replaced/upgraded during that process. I'm going to only do what the bare minimum is to remedy this issue. See if I've got the list right:
New lifters(duh)
New push rods(upgrade)
Trunion kit(upgrade)
LS9 head gaskets(since I'm under boost)
ARP head bolts(upgrade)
Coolant


I'd love to throw some springs on and a cam but then I'd do other things along with that and don't REALLY need to do that right now.
Why couldn't this happen in April/May lol?

[Piccione Performance]

If your car is still stock you should still be under your 5/100 powertrain warranty.

[Bo White]

According to two dealerships not with the Paxton hanging off the front of it.

[Piccione Performance]

Are all the internals stock? Just the S/C? If so, check with a few other dealers. I work with 2 locally when my clients have warranty issues to make it easy on them. We have had no problems when lifters or stock valve springs have failed, they take care of it as long as the mods don't cause the failure. Go talk to the service manager.
If you replace the lifters, you need to pull the heads so may as well do it all at once.

[vroomapunk]

Man, if you are already changing all of that, a cam and springs arent all that much more money.

You should really just find a way to make it work, or live with the tick for a little while, or if you have another car you might be able to drive in the meantime.

You really are going to hate yourself for giving up an opportunity to throw a cam in there when you already have done 80% of the work.

If you end up doing the cam, oil pump and timing chain are worthwhile upgrades.


I understand if you cant make the cam work.

But you will also need a spring compressor tool when you take the rockers off to do the trunnion upgrade and replace the rods/lifters.

You should also get a torque wrench to torque everything back down afterwards.

[thahemp]

I don't suppose you have a video of the ticking? Mine is pretty clicky too, but I don't think there's anything wrong with it. I'm pretty sure you know the difference between OK and not OK, but I wouldn't mind hearing it just for my own knowledge.

[Bo White]

Well, I've got tools lol so that's not a problem. I've got spring compressors, I've been porting cylinder heads for about 15 years.

[vroomapunk]

Originally Posted by Bo White

Well, I've got tools lol so that's not a problem. I've got spring compressors, I've been porting cylinder heads for about 15 years.

Haha

[Bo White]

Update.
I was going to give it enough time to be sure not to be premature on the outcome. It was time to change my oil and read were a lot of people were running anywhere from 1/2 to 1 quart low on oil to remedy lifter tick. The theory behind it is there is so much oil in the pan that the crank paddles the oil just enough to airate the oil and the air accumulates in the lifters and makes them tick. I figured since I was changing oil anyway I figured it was a free try lol. I prefilled the filter as always and put 7 quarts in the pan( a little over 1/2 quart low) and have been running it like that for 5000 miles. The lifter hasn't made a peep since. Is there something to it? Yes. Is the theory true? Not sure but it sounds reasonable.
Hope this helps others as it has seemed to help me.

[thahemp]

Originally Posted by Bo White

Update.
I was going to give it enough time to be sure not to be premature on the outcome. It was time to change my oil and read were a lot of people were running anywhere from 1/2 to 1 quart low on oil to remedy lifter tick. The theory behind it is there is so much oil in the pan that the crank paddles the oil just enough to airate the oil and the air accumulates in the lifters and makes them tick. I figured since I was changing oil anyway I figured it was a free try lol. I prefilled the filter as always and put 7 quarts in the pan( a little over 1/2 quart low) and have been running it like that for 5000 miles. The lifter hasn't made a peep since. Is there something to it? Yes. Is the theory true? Not sure but it sounds reasonable.
Hope this helps others as it has seemed to help me.

I started running a 1/2 qt. low right after I put the headers on and noticed how noisy the lifters were. It had the same effect in my situation too FWIW. Seems to do the trick.

[trw427ss]

Mine had a tick to so I did my first oil change at 800 miles and have been running it 1 quart low every sense and with 8000 miles no tick! Now I just did my VVT cam install and put in Morel lifters.

[Madness11]

I may have to try this. I just cammed my car, and between my exhaust being loud and my stereo up so loud, I stopped paying attention to the tick when the stock cam was in. After I put the cam in, I about crapped my pants thinking the rockers were getting loose. So I went back and re torqued the rockers and everything is fine. but it was a scare for sure. I will have to try to remember to short my oil change by a quart next oil change. Saves money anyway.

[SolomonAKOO]

Originally Posted by Bo White

Update.
I was going to give it enough time to be sure not to be premature on the outcome. It was time to change my oil and read were a lot of people were running anywhere from 1/2 to 1 quart low on oil to remedy lifter tick. The theory behind it is there is so much oil in the pan that the crank paddles the oil just enough to airate the oil and the air accumulates in the lifters and makes them tick. I figured since I was changing oil anyway I figured it was a free try lol. I prefilled the filter as always and put 7 quarts in the pan( a little over 1/2 quart low) and have been running it like that for 5000 miles. The lifter hasn't made a peep since. Is there something to it? Yes. Is the theory true? Not sure but it sounds reasonable.
Hope this helps others as it has seemed to help me.

Wow great info there! I'll have to try this out. I'll be doing an oil change in the near future too.

[thahemp]

Do it like Bo said though. Buy 8 quarts, use 7 and just fill the filter with the 8th and leave the rest out. It works and the more oil you can get away with, the more heat you can pull out of the engine.