Hey all, for those of you who dont know, my L98 has been making a ticking noise. It went away when i pushed on the number 8 lifter (but still made noise at the bottom of the car. I replaced that lifter, it still makes noise though. It sounded like it was coming from the timing chain area underneath the car, so yesterday i pulled the timing chain cover off and there's a lot of play in the chain. Some say that a loose timing chain can make your engine sound like its ticking, some say it cant, what do you guys think? Its defiantly a front/ top end engine tick, not a lower end engine knock. i checked the valve adjustments like 5 times, its not that. The header bolts are tight, it's not the push rods. This is the ONLY thing that looks not "normal" to me and my mechanic. So can a loose timing chain make a ticking noise for my small block chevy?

 

They will make noise yes. Whether or not it makes a noise like a lifter ticking im not sure. the chain should not have a bunch of slop in it or it needs to be replaced

 

Does the tick increase with rpms? Does your car have headers? If so, check for a blown header gasket.

 

If you have a lot of play in the chain, your timing will never be right no matter how much you adjust it

 

If it has noticeable play, change the timing chain. I have heard them make noise that sounds like a lifter before, and I have also seen exhaust leaks sound like bottom end knocks... Does it look like there's "soot" for lack of better word where the manifold meets the head?? And is there sludge in the motor?? I've also seen loose chains cause spark knock...