New to LS engines, finally owned one for few years starting to get used to all the typical noises they make;
I recently did a cam swap, LM7. I never noticed any tapping sounds before that.
Engine is all OEM except cam/spring (PAC1218 & TFS-30602001 low lift, .560/.560 "slow" ramp)
After the cam swap I have 5W-30 synthetic Walmart oil in it. Didn't notice any tapping sounds for the first 1000miles.
Then I notice a slight tick. And by 2200 miles, it got louder, worrysome.
The oil looked like typical 'turbo/blowby' watery so,
I changed the oil to Mobil1 10W-40 and the ticking 'went away' after a few minutes of circulating that oil around.
I still hear it faintly. I suppose it sounded like that before and I just never noticed it until now.
Questions
What exactly is the noise? One lifter is bad or leaking down fast? Is the sound the lifter bottoming out?
Just one, or all of them?
My theory is increased spring pressure is bleeding down the lifters faster. It could also have something to do with pushrod length of course. And the thinned out oil isn't helping.
Real question is, is it safe to spin this engine 7k like this?
I'm going to measure pushrod length but overall I feel like there isn't much I can do. Many have replaced lifters and pushrods and still have some ticking sounds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azai69TxROM
thank you in advance, I normally don't even post when things happen, I just fix it first then make a video or post how it was done.
But this situation is different, some might not 'fix' it, just leave it be and see what happens, and the engine still goes 330k miles, but will it also do 600rwhp like this for a long time? And lets say it does or will be reliable. How much power is left on the table from the OEM pushrods? It could be 30-50hp so I think a dyno followed by exact length pushrods then another dyno is in order now.