So i just put in a low mileage 5.3 with slightly worked heads, a custom speced turbo cam, comp push rods, comp valve springs, and ls7 lifters. I wanted to start it before I put my turbo kit on so I did. It ends up having a loud tick from the drivers side. Sounds a lot like a bad lifter. but i cant really tell. If i rev it up a little it gets louder, its deffinetally not a bearing because it doesn't sound like it, Is there any way that i can tell if i have a bad lifter?

Should i try to do different oil viscosity, to see if i can get the lifter to pump up? They have been sitting for about a year before they went in this motor. Thanks for help

 

i've never heard of a bad LS7 lifter before, but then again i don't know much about lifters and other internal components of heads. hopefully someone else will post up

 

Just get in and drive it' I've seen brand new hydraulic lifters take 30 minutes of driving before shutting up. You're not going to hurt anything driving it for now. Don't worry about it.

 

Holy cow, you don't know how good that is to hear. I hope it works, i will drive it around tomorrow. Thanks.

 

Sure it is not a loose rocker?

 

Yes, i forgot to mention that I did take the valve cover off and re-check the torque on all of the rockers, I actually loosened them and then re-torqued them to their proper specs.

 

back to basics...check all the bolts and watch the oil pressure. let it get warm...get the oil flowing and give the lifters a change to pump up.

did you soak the lifters in oil before you installed them?

is your pushrod length correct...the ls7 lifters are a bit deeper than the ls2s.

 

Exhaust leak? I know it sounds stupid but exhaust leaks can sound pretty dam close and get louder as well. Just giving ya ideas so you dont **** can the motor unnecessarily

 

I agree, the lifters have to pump up, that's why you soak the to help with that, also check your rocker arms, they will need to be re-torqued to 22ftlbs after start up

 

I was going to suggest exhaust leak at the manifold/header as well.
Had a leak once and it was LOUD!. I seriously thought I had a bad lifter. It was basically ticking louder than the exhaust system could rumble when pulling out on the freeway.