Sound from left valve cover
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,498
Likes: 90
From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
I have the same problem. It is a tapping sound. I have a full roller motor that puts out a good 500 HP. I set the valve lash (brand new motor) thinking it would go away. But nope. There were some other softer tapping sounds that went away, but there is still a pretty distinct one. I really don't wanna break my new motor. I hope that this thread provides some insight onto what it might be.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,498
Likes: 90
From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
hmmm.........maybe, that would seem crazy on my new motor, but I gues there is a chance.... Maybe I will try and find a good way to test that.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Middleboro, MA
Car: 1988 Pontiac trans am/gta
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23's
Well i have a tiny vibration and im hoping it was a loose valve etc, that may be causing it
But a bad lifter could def be it.. ill put my ear to the valve cover and see if i can tell if its coming from the pushrod/ liifter or if its right in the top of the valve cover or w/e lol
But a bad lifter could def be it.. ill put my ear to the valve cover and see if i can tell if its coming from the pushrod/ liifter or if its right in the top of the valve cover or w/e lol
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,498
Likes: 90
From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
Damn, that will be impressive if you can tell that. If the motor was sorta stock and EFI I can imagine maybe being able to tell, but not now. I am gonna keep building my car, and drive it to get painted. Then after that is all said and done I am gonna take it to a dyno tunning shop and ask them to tune the car and find out what that ticking sound is. I am sure they will charge me up the A$$ but at least the car will be tuned and have to tapping noise.
Stupid noise
Stupid noise
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Modesto, California
Car: '91 RS/'89 Z-28
Engine: 305TBI RS/350TPI Z-28
Transmission: AOD's in both
Axle/Gears: 3.42 RS/ 3.73 Z-28
Have you checked for exhaust leak at the back of the mainfold / header? This is an extreamly common problem. Have you used a stethascope to pinpoint the problem?
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iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,763
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Car: 1982 Trans-Am
Engine: 355 w/ ported 416s
Transmission: T10, hurst shifter
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, true-trac, 3.73
original poster - reset your valve lash. If that doesn't work, or if you can't get a certain rocker to move (to do it EOIC style), then fire up the car with a valve cover off, (get your raincoat, you're gonna look like those birds that David Suzuki pulls outta the ocean after an exxon-valdez), and watch the valves. You'll see one not moving. That means the cam is shot. Chances are it's just a loose rocker though.
Dennis - solid roller motor ? Get used to the tapping. Or, if not, as mentioned above, relash valves, and then watch it running with valve covers off. If everything is moving, you're ok. Then re-tighten your header bolts. That should fix it.
Dennis - solid roller motor ? Get used to the tapping. Or, if not, as mentioned above, relash valves, and then watch it running with valve covers off. If everything is moving, you're ok. Then re-tighten your header bolts. That should fix it.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Middleboro, MA
Car: 1988 Pontiac trans am/gta
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23's
original poster - reset your valve lash. If that doesn't work, or if you can't get a certain rocker to move (to do it EOIC style), then fire up the car with a valve cover off, (get your raincoat, you're gonna look like those birds that David Suzuki pulls outta the ocean after an exxon-valdez), and watch the valves. You'll see one not moving. That means the cam is shot. Chances are it's just a loose rocker though.
Dennis - solid roller motor ? Get used to the tapping. Or, if not, as mentioned above, relash valves, and then watch it running with valve covers off. If everything is moving, you're ok. Then re-tighten your header bolts. That should fix it.
Dennis - solid roller motor ? Get used to the tapping. Or, if not, as mentioned above, relash valves, and then watch it running with valve covers off. If everything is moving, you're ok. Then re-tighten your header bolts. That should fix it.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,498
Likes: 90
From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
Yeah I have a full roller motor. Everyone thinks it is a soild lifter on TGO, when I first bring it up. I guess cuz the HP it is supposed to make.
I am 100% sure the header bolts are tight. I used the kind that lock and can't loosen. I will chack lash again I guess. Or at least watch the valvetrain running to make sure there is no visual hints.
Thanks so far. I really hope to get to the bottom of this.
First frost of the year is comin' tomorrow I think....
I am 100% sure the header bolts are tight. I used the kind that lock and can't loosen. I will chack lash again I guess. Or at least watch the valvetrain running to make sure there is no visual hints.
Thanks so far. I really hope to get to the bottom of this.
First frost of the year is comin' tomorrow I think....
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Modesto, California
Car: '91 RS/'89 Z-28
Engine: 305TBI RS/350TPI Z-28
Transmission: AOD's in both
Axle/Gears: 3.42 RS/ 3.73 Z-28
Yeah I have a full roller motor. Everyone thinks it is a soild lifter on TGO, when I first bring it up. I guess cuz the HP it is supposed to make.
I am 100% sure the header bolts are tight. I used the kind that lock and can't loosen. I will chack lash again I guess. Or at least watch the valvetrain running to make sure there is no visual hints.
Thanks so far. I really hope to get to the bottom of this.
First frost of the year is comin' tomorrow I think....
I am 100% sure the header bolts are tight. I used the kind that lock and can't loosen. I will chack lash again I guess. Or at least watch the valvetrain running to make sure there is no visual hints.
Thanks so far. I really hope to get to the bottom of this.
First frost of the year is comin' tomorrow I think....

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,498
Likes: 90
From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
yeah, I am aware of this, I am not going to re-toque them till I get to really driving it. It has only gone 3 miles so far, and only been up to temp twice.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Modesto, California
Car: '91 RS/'89 Z-28
Engine: 305TBI RS/350TPI Z-28
Transmission: AOD's in both
Axle/Gears: 3.42 RS/ 3.73 Z-28
I don't blame you then, and I am sure you have them correct. I just wanted to stress that point for any one else who reads this. Too many people think they are a set it and forget it deal..... Not true. So I appologise to you for my persistance but I am trying to educate the others!
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