I want to upgrade my stock rockers to some Harland Sharp bolt-ins. I was able to set aside 20 minutes tonight to unbolt one of my valve covers in an attempt to try and locate the annoying loud tapping and clacking noises that have been pissing me off. I unbolted and inspected a few rockers, and there seems to be some excessive play where the fulcrum goes into the bearing cage, possibly contributing to some of my noise. I checked Texas Speed and Performance's website and did some searching in the internal engine section, and came up with the Harland Sharps...and a few questions.

When I go with these rockers, should I go up to the 1.8:1's since I'm upgrading anyway, or just stick with the 1.7:1's so I don't have to worry about a retune or valvetrain geometry or anything like that. They're both the same price, so I was thinking, why not go bigger...speaking of which, if I ever come across a cheap 6.0, I can always just swap these right over I think.

Next question, if I go with the 1.8:1's, should I upgrade my Comp 915 springs? I figure that there will be increased lift and some increased duration, so an upgrade there might not be a bad idea either.

I was thinking of either Comp 918's, or 02+ LS6 Springs. Which would be best? Seems alot of guys like the Comp 918's...but I'm not too into having to let my truck warm up forever in the cold Jersey winter until the springs get some heat in them. Would the 02+ LS6 Springs be good?

I already have Comp hardened pushrods and retainers, so I'm good there...just looking forward to getting past this noise (plus closing on our house and moving taking forever and we have to be out of our apartment next Sat), so I can start concentrating on a good stall and some lt's.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

-Billy

 

Good luck with your noises man. I know im having a little trouble getting used to the "sewing machine" sound myself. My truck went from whisper quiet before the cam, to sounding like a worn out piece. Kinda embarassing in the drive through window, or when people ride with me that dont understand the concept of a "cam swap"... I just try to keep the radio up, or give it enough gas to listen to my magnaflows!

 

Thanks man...funny thing is, I haven't listened to the radio in weeks since I've been fixating on these noises. A slight tick or tap I could live with...but this is loud!

 

you can go with the harland sharp or many others. i was using the slp 1.8 rockers. as for that cam and the 1.8 you will be good with the ls6 springs. but like all of us. we mod. and if that cam is ever going to change then i say 918's.

 

Thanks 02denali...I was thinking the same thing about the springs and future mods.

 

is that normal for a cam swap? cause my old 4.8 did that when i put a cam in it, but i think i was cause it had coil bind it was a very annoying sound though

 

Some noise is normal...I have the sewing machine noise that everyone talks about. I listened to tdrumm's engine after his cam swap (he has the Vinci 062 and Crane dual springs), and he has the same sewing maching noise. I have a very loud clacking that sounds like a loose rocker, but they're all tight (except for the play I found in the fulcrum to needle bearing cap area...not sure how much clearance there's supposed to be)

 

There have been issues with stock rockers spitting out their needle bearings. People finding them during oil changes. I suspect this would be very noisy.

If I were to replace my rockers with Harland Sharps 1.7 or 1.8 without a higher lift cam I personally would not change springs. If a cam in ther future go with the 918's.

Keep us posted if you do the swap. After my cam install the valve noise is just a tad louder. Not sewing maching quality by no means but If I could quieten it down and gain the the little valve percision with roller tips I'd do it.

 

Gm has an issue with the ls1 motors clacking like they have loose rockers. My truck was real loud at about 5000 miles on it, but gm says it starts happening sometimes even at 50. It's in the machining of the motor. It's not your rockers, most likely. I was on the phone with them, and at the dealer like 8 times trying to get them to buy my truck back. they gave me a useless 100k mile warranty ( because i love to mod, the motor won't be stock long....) and sent me on my way. Anyways, i fugured out afix myself. get a lil louder exhaust, and on the stock cam, i turned the idle up to 750 and this minimized the clacking a lot. does yours do it while driving?

 

Yep, the noise increases with engine rpm...actually gets louder as you rev it. If I hold it at about 2k while in park or neutral, it sounds like a rocker or lifter wants to jump out of it. It's more of a tick/tap at idle, and more of a tap/clack as you rev it. Does it hot or cold.

I've heard about the needle bearing issues, but I've never found any during my oil changes (doesn't mean that there aren't a few laying around somewhere).