Risk of ignoring lifter noise?

[VetteMed]

As my ZR-1 nears 195k miles, I've noticed that the noise which I and a few other forum members think might be lifter noise, seems to be worsening slowly. The motor runs great, but at idle, there's a noticeable tapping noise coming from what sounds like under the plenum. If this IS one or more lifters that is collapsed or otherwise defective, is this a big risk for the affected cam(s) involved? I am having a hard time justifying pulling the motor out, given that it seems silly to swap lifters, and then put such a high mileage motor back in the car.

I have absolutely no budget for any thoughts of a rebuild, or a used LT5 from a part-out. If I wipe a cam lobe, or if the engine otherwise pukes, the car will be sitting for a LONG time.

I'm not really sure what I'm looking to hear -- I know I'm probably gambling by continuing to drive the car a few hundred miles per week.

Is it worthwhile to try a different (read: thicker) oil? I've been running Mobil1 10W-30 High Mileage.

Recently changed plugs, have good even clean burn in all cylinders, FWIW. 20mpg in mixed driving.

Thanks for any input!

[rhipsher]

Let me just say 194k? That is freaken awesome. My opinion is that your probably long overdue for new lifters. Id pull the cam cover on the side you think its on and just replace that one lifter for now and you'll be good to go. Replacing one lifter shouldn't break the bank. When you get the cam cover off just fire the car up and and you'll find it quick. Just don't rev the engine. Lol! A face full of hot oil will make you do the rumple stilskin dance.
On all the other cars I've ever done a valve adjustment on or looked for a bad lifter I would just buy a cheap set of valve covers and just cut a slot in the top of them so I could see what's going on in there without engine oil going all over the place. You'll probably have to fasion something to deflect the oil from going all over the place.

[VetteMed]

Originally Posted by rhipsher

Let me just say 194k? That is freaken awesome. My opinion is that your probably long overdue for new lifters. Id pull the cam cover on the side you think its on and just replace that one lifter for now and you'll be good to go. Replacing one lifter shouldn't break the bank. When you get the cam cover off just fire the car up and and you'll find it quick. Just don't rev the engine. Lol! A face full of hot oil will make you do the rumple stilskin dance.
On all the other cars I've ever done a valve adjustment on or looked for a bad lifter I would just buy a cheap set of valve covers and just cut a slot in the top of them so I could see what's going on in there without engine oil going all over the place. You'll probably have to tasking something to deflect the oil from going all over the place.

Only problem is that to change a lifter, requires removing the cam(s), which then requires timing the cams, which from what I've read, typically should be done with the motor out of the car.

On an OHV motor, yeah, it's a no brainer to change the lifters...

[rhipsher]

Originally Posted by VetteMed

Only problem is that to change a lifter, requires removing the cam(s), which then requires timing the cams, which from what I've read, typically should be done with the motor out of the car.

On an OHV motor, yeah, it's a no brainer to change the lifters...

In that case I wouldn't drive the car anymore until you can afford to do something about it. Since it sounds like its your daily driver id go buy a POS to drive back and fourth and park the Z.

[VetteMed]

Originally Posted by rhipsher

In that case I wouldn't drive the car anymore until you can afford to do something about it. Since it sounds like itsnot your daily driver id go buy a POS to drive back and fourth and park the Z.

Got my Duramax powered truck for my DD if needed -- though the Z was my DD for the last couple of months, better mileage, more fun. Ah well.

[rhipsher]

Originally Posted by VetteMed

Got my Duramax powered truck for my DD if needed -- though the Z was my DD for the last couple of months, better mileage, moe fun. Ah well.

There you go. Nothing like a $55k pickup truck to dd in.

[rhipsher]

My buddy bought one of those Ford 1super ton King Ranch super duty pickups Brand new. $55k 6 months later he couldn't afford the payments anymore. I knew that was coming. Lol!

[VetteMed]

Originally Posted by rhipsher

My buddy bought one of those Ford 1super ton King Ranch super duty pickups Brand new. $55k 6pickup months later he couldn't afford the payments anymore. I knew that was coming. Lol!

Yep, that's a lotta green for the new trucks. Too rich for my blood...

[GOLDCYLON]

You have no secondaries right? blades removed etc? Mine did this before the blades broke apart and hit the pistons


Another option according to Lee since your on a budget on a hi miler anyway

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16532

[VetteMed]

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

You have no secondaries right? blades removed etc? Mine did this before the blades broke apart and hit the pistons


Another option according to Lee snce your on a budget on a hi miler anyway

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16532

Correct, no secondaries. I thought at first that this noise was coming from one of the accessories, but I don't think that's the case now.

Thanks for the reminder on that option for lifters- however, I'd suspect that a lifter that is collapsed or otherwise damaged in a way other than wear on the surface that contacts the cam lobes, it's better to just replace it.