tick,tick, tick... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BobbyK · 08-10-2008, 10:14 AM

Did a few burnouts last week...rpms got a little high.
I now have what sounds like lifter tick at about 2000rpm,under load only.

No tick at idle.

Haven't removed the valve covers yet.

Looking for input.

Thanks.

LONGHAIR · 08-10-2008, 10:33 AM

A little more info about your engine and it's modifications might be helpful.

It could be several things though.
Over-revving might:
Bend a valve, if it hit a piston
Bend a pushrod, if a valve hit a piston
Pull the rocker stud out a little making the adjustment loose
Collapse a lifter
Loosen the adjustment nut
Break a valve spring

Any of these could be the cause of your noise, or even a combination of them...I may have even missed some. You are going to have to pull a valve cover off to find out.

Are you sure that it is not an exhaust leak?

**Stocker** · 08-10-2008, 10:45 AM

Try changing the oil before tearing into anything. If it's just a lifter, fresh stuff just might make the ticking go away.

BobbyK · 08-10-2008, 11:18 AM

Oil changed 2 weeks ago.

eng.->mild SBC350 with RV cam
About 15,000 miles on it.

World SR heads,screw-in rocker studs,Manley valves(150+197 I think,don't have my spec's with me here at work).

**steelhorse** · 08-10-2008, 11:44 AM

Sounds like you need a rev limiter

68gmsee · 08-10-2008, 12:33 PM

Aside from the mentioned possibilities it could be a defective or gummy (sticky) lifter. Since you already changed the oil, you might want to put an additive in and drive around to see if it will get rid of the tick. A friend mechanic recommended this to me once and it helped. I had some sticky lifters.

Here's what happens (as he explained it): After years of use, the inside of the lifter gets gummed up or they my become defective and leak. When there's rapid stress on the engine (like reving it) the rod is pushed further into the lifter than it does under normal operation. If they're gummy, it will prevent the plunger from going back up all the way causing the ticking.

Arad68 · 08-10-2008, 01:40 PM

If you have headers, check for a gasket leak.

BobbyK · 08-10-2008, 02:41 PM

No headers,2.5" rams

BobbyK · 08-10-2008, 09:37 PM

Leaning towards the lifters.Seem to be able to minimize the ticking with "gentle" acceleration.
But as soon as I use even a moderate amount of pedal the lifters start ticking.

I checked and tightened my exhaust manifolds at the block and at the collectors before my test drive...no exhaust leaks.

piecesparts · 08-10-2008, 09:41 PM

Check the fuel pump for the thicking noise and see if that is not the cause. Seriously, this can happen.

BobbyK · 08-11-2008, 02:04 PM

I "Sea Foamed" it today...no more tick.

08-10-2008, 10:14 AM	#1
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	tick,tick, tick... Did a few burnouts last week...rpms got a little high. I now have what sounds like lifter tick at about 2000rpm,under load only. No tick at idle. Haven't removed the valve covers yet. Looking for input. Thanks. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

08-10-2008, 10:33 AM	#2
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: tick,tick, tick... A little more info about your engine and it's modifications might be helpful. It could be several things though. Over-revving might: Bend a valve, if it hit a piston Bend a pushrod, if a valve hit a piston Pull the rocker stud out a little making the adjustment loose Collapse a lifter Loosen the adjustment nut Break a valve spring Any of these could be the cause of your noise, or even a combination of them...I may have even missed some. You are going to have to pull a valve cover off to find out. Are you sure that it is not an exhaust leak? Last edited by LONGHAIR; 08-10-2008 at 10:34 AM.

08-10-2008, 10:45 AM	#3
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,728	Re: tick,tick, tick... Try changing the oil before tearing into anything. If it's just a lifter, fresh stuff just might make the ticking go away. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

08-10-2008, 11:18 AM	#4
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	Re: tick,tick, tick... Oil changed 2 weeks ago. eng.->mild SBC350 with RV cam About 15,000 miles on it. World SR heads,screw-in rocker studs,Manley valves(150+197 I think,don't have my spec's with me here at work). __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE Last edited by BobbyK; 08-10-2008 at 11:19 AM.

08-10-2008, 11:44 AM	#5
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Franklinton NC Posts: 1,309	Re: tick,tick, tick... Sounds like you need a rev limiter

08-10-2008, 12:33 PM	#6
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: tick,tick, tick... Aside from the mentioned possibilities it could be a defective or gummy (sticky) lifter. Since you already changed the oil, you might want to put an additive in and drive around to see if it will get rid of the tick. A friend mechanic recommended this to me once and it helped. I had some sticky lifters. Here's what happens (as he explained it): After years of use, the inside of the lifter gets gummed up or they my become defective and leak. When there's rapid stress on the engine (like reving it) the rod is pushed further into the lifter than it does under normal operation. If they're gummy, it will prevent the plunger from going back up all the way causing the ticking. Attached Images

08-10-2008, 01:40 PM	#7
Arad68 Trucks N Tranzams Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 816	Re: tick,tick, tick... If you have headers, check for a gasket leak. __________________ Don '68 Chevy LB 383 TH400/GV/373 posi '56 Chevy 4WD SWB '64 Chevy short stepside '79 Trans Am 455/TH2004R/12blt/4whldisc 95 Kia (Wifes car) 2002 S-10 extended cab pickup "God punishes small sins immediately"

08-10-2008, 02:41 PM	#8
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	Re: tick,tick, tick... No headers,2.5" rams __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

08-10-2008, 09:37 PM	#9
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	Re: tick,tick, tick... Leaning towards the lifters.Seem to be able to minimize the ticking with "gentle" acceleration. But as soon as I use even a moderate amount of pedal the lifters start ticking. I checked and tightened my exhaust manifolds at the block and at the collectors before my test drive...no exhaust leaks. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE Last edited by BobbyK; 08-11-2008 at 02:05 PM.

08-10-2008, 09:41 PM	#10
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: tick,tick, tick... Check the fuel pump for the thicking noise and see if that is not the cause. Seriously, this can happen.

08-11-2008, 02:04 PM	#11
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	Re: tick,tick, tick... I "Sea Foamed" it today...no more tick. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE



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