Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) lifter tick

[JThorsten]

i just recently swapped out cams for a regrind, and i noticed right away that i have what sounds to me like a lifter tick, i have driven a few hundred miles and have rechecked the valve last 3 times and its right on everytime, but i do notice the tick is loudest around the drivers wheel well, could it posibally be coming from one of the lifters or? has anyone had a problems before.

 

[BigPapa]

Your engine doesn't have lifters, you have tappets that ride against the cam lobes.



I would guess it's the fuel pump. Mine starts to tap when I need to change the fuel filter. Try changing your filter. If that doesn't help, I'd check the overflow valve spring length. Should be just over 1/2 inch. If it's not you can stretch it for a temporary fix, but you'll need to replace the OFV. The spring will quickly go back to the pre-stretched length.



How many miles on the fuel pump? They're pretty bullet proof. The fuel pump plunger rides on an eccentric on the cam, not really a lobe. Generally don't cause problems.

 

[JThorsten]

my first idea was the fuel pump pushrod may have been making the tick, so i removed the pushrod and installed a fass i had laying around and it didnt go away. are the tappets solid are are they hydraulic, could it possibally be that then?

 

[Shadrach]

They are a mushroom style tappet, looks like an upside down "T" with a "socket" in the top for the push rod to sit in. One solid piece no roller to turn nothing to fill with oil. The sound has to be coming from elsewhere. Shad

 

[NIsaacs]

It might be an injector line. Make sure nothing is touching one and that all the injector clamps are in order.



Nick

 

[hsmith]

Might also want to make sure you did not bend a pushrod upon reassembly.

 

[JThorsten]

Thanks for the help, ill look into your suggestions and get back to you

 

[MLee]

my first idea was the fuel pump pushrod may have been making the tick, so i removed the pushrod and installed a fass i had laying around and it didnt go away. are the tappets solid are are they hydraulic, could it possibally be that then?

Solid no hydraulic here.

 

[JThorsten]

just threw in a new set of pushrods and it didnt make and difference. could the regrind cam simply make the the valve train that much louder/

 

[Missouri Mule]

Could it be a sticking delivery valve in the P7100? You can always try putting a cleaner in the tank. Many years ago mine had a tick from the P7100. Running a fuel conditioner thru the tank (cleaned and lubed) made the tick go away.

 

[BigPapa]

Did you ever change your fuel filter and check the OFV spring?

 

[JThorsten]

I used a stethascope and all the everything sounds ok, the only place I couldn't reach was the tappet cover. I'm going to go get a filter today, waiting on an ofv from genos

 

[JThorsten]

i changed out the fuel filter and it still ticks, its get incresingly louder at rpms increase. alot of guys are mentioning fuel pump when i did a search, i took out the pump push rod and cut the line from the pump to the filter and used that when i hooked up my fass. as there anything else that goes threw the fuel pump or could it be the fact that its still mounted to the block make it tick, if so what do i need for a block off plate to remove it all together?

 

[BigPapa]

You can get a block off plate for a small block Chevy that will work, but it sounds like you've got it under control with no push rod and no fuel going to it.



What FASS did you put on? A P7100 requires more pressure than other applications.

 

[JThorsten]

I have an older fass150, but it made the tick before the fass, I'm curious if a tappet may have gotten screwed up some how from the cam swap, but I'm waiting on the ofv, hopefully that fixes it

 

[BigPapa]

The thought on the overflow valve was that it was causing the lift pump to tap. With it gone I'd rule it out. Especially since the FASS doesn't "pulse" like the mechanical pump.



I would check the pressure on the 150. I think they have a different ball for the higher pressure. Low supply pressure in certain situations can cause the rack to stick in the P7100.

 

[JThorsten]

Well that really sucks then because I was hoping the ofv would fix it, now I'm just stumped as to what it could be, I'm afraid something is gonna go bad

 

[MLee]

I used a stethascope and all the everything sounds ok, the only place I couldn't reach was the tappet cover. I'm going to go get a filter today, waiting on an ofv from genos

Was the stethascope a medical type or a Automotive type? The auto type has along rod for getting into the tight places and reaching into the middle of things.

If you have a Harbor tool in your area these things are cheap but handy.

 

[JThorsten]

Its was an auto type, but I just could make mine work to check the tappet cover, but as for the rest of the motor, injectors, exh manifold, dv's, inj pump, vac pump, valve covers, there was never a change in sound. The tick is loudest in the cab and drivers side wheel well which is why I'm leaning towards something with the cam and tappets