Oil pressure is fine if its around 35+psi so that's not the issue. I know what your talking about lashing from all my camaro builds. The ls motors are not the same method.

Basically just get number one cylinder to tdc with screw driver method or watching the valves. Un tighten all rocker bolts and turn them to finger tight. Now tq every one to 22-25ftlbs and rotate the motor 180* then check them again. You can keep rotating and checking them as much as you want. Usually 2 rockers will seem very loose but as soon as the motor starts and runs they will all be in position.

Let us know if this works.

I think you might have a rocker or two to tight.

 

Honestly you dont even have to get the #1 cylinder to tdc that just more for checking pre-load, but I like to do it that way.

 

The book had me go to #1 tdc and torque half of them to 22 ft lb and rotate then do the rest. I had just tightened to 22 lb ft and had noise and a couple rockers loose so I followed the procedure in the book and it quieted down a lot. But then after a couple 80+runs on the highway I started hearing a noise.

 

69camaro427-
I will have to try that again. Maybe I goofed up....I'm hoping I did. That would be the easy solution. How would I check my pushrods for straightness......I can't find anything I know is perfectly flat to roll them on.
I have 10 windows for the house stacked on the truckso I have a full weekend of windows and rockers.

 

Do you have tile in your house. could roll them on a clean surface. I would order some harden push-rods when you can. There $119 on ws6store.com free shipping on orders over a 100.

It still could be rockers, bent push-rod or worse case bad lifter. These roller cams are not as wearing as the flat tapets and solid rollers so I really don't thinks its a lifter or cam lobe has worn. How many miles are on the pushrods and lifters?

 

the amount of turns to bottom out is a crapshot. get a pushrod length checker for $20 and do it right.

an intermittant noise sounds like it could possibly be a lifter turning a little to me, then catching itself and running smoothe for a bit. i'd be pulling heads no matter what if you dont see any loose rockers.

also check for loose flex plate bolts. those things can have you chasing your tail.

 

I didnt even think about the flex plate, bolts, good call

 

Tile....I never thought of that. Didn't even think of stuff in the house because the wife would flip. Maybe I could turn it into a learning event for the kids and she won't get mad.

Pushrod and lifter mileage is unknown as its a junkyard motor. Seems pretty clean I'd say maybe 80k ish.
Ya I need to get a pushrod length checker. I am leary to pull the heads cause I just put it all back together and I would hate to pull heads and have to buy more head bolts and do that tesr down again. So if I can check everything I possibly can first I would lime to do that.
I would never guess flex plate either. I just had my trans rebuilt and the cross memberhad a couple bolts loose so that might be. Would a loose flex plate bolt cause the plate to jump around and make that noise?

 

loose flex plate bolts can make all kinds of racket. if one is sticking out far enough it could be smacking something on the back of your oil pan or block with every revolution. it's an easy one to check. i like to start with the easiest solutions and work my way in.

check flex plate bolts, move to valve covers/rockers, remove timing chain cover...if everything looks good after that pull the heads. you've checked for header leaks right? sorry, i havent listened to the videos lol. they are usually pretty useless.

check oil for shavings before pulling heads.

could also try starting without any belts. hard to say without being there.

 

Safe to say I found my noise. I don't know why these are making contact other than worn valve cover gaskets. Guess ill remove the oil baffles and see if it clears