Engine tick or exhaust tick? - UPDATED

Status
Not open for further replies.

oldmansmonte

G-Body Guru
Oct 29, 2010
594
348
63
Buffalo, NY
So I changed the oil on the Monte. Let it run for about a minute and I revved it up to about 2,500 rpm when I suddenly heard a ticking sound.

Specs: Iron 350 w/vortec heads, flat tappet cam and lifters. Ceramic coated Flo Tech headers, split lock header bolts, 2.5 exhaust with high flow cats.

Oil: Amsoil Z-Rod 10w-30

Here is a quick video I made:



It's not real pronounced in the video. I don't believe it's on engine sound because it's more the less coming from under the car and radiating out. I replaced the collector gastkers in the spring. As you can see the flanges look a little warped. Also the headers were installed in 2011 with heavy duty gaskets and not touched since. I've noticed they've slowly gotten louder. Maybe they need to be tightened? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 

Jeff L

G-Body Guru
Nov 20, 2016
508
684
93
Southern AZ
Just listened on my ipad speakers a few times and it sounds like rocker noise. But not being there this is no real diagnoses for sure. On my speakers I hear the tick-tick-tick you mention. All you did was change the oil and then the noise? Again, on my end it sounds mechanical.

Good luck and I hope it is just some of the leaks you mentioned.
 

oldmansmonte

G-Body Guru
Oct 29, 2010
594
348
63
Buffalo, NY
Just listened on my ipad speakers a few times and it sounds like rocker noise. But not being there this is no real diagnoses for sure. On my speakers I hear the tick-tick-tick you mention. All you did was change the oil and then the noise? Again, on my end it sounds mechanical.

Good luck and I hope it is just some of the leaks you mentioned.


Thanks for the input. Yes, changed oil, revved up to 2,500 and the tick appeared.

Now I assume a rocker tick would be most noticeable under the hood rather than under the car though?
 

oldmansmonte

G-Body Guru
Oct 29, 2010
594
348
63
Buffalo, NY
I tried tightening down the collector gaskets just for kicks. Upon further inspection it does appear to be a noise internally in the engine. Not piston slap or knock fortunately, it's definitely in the top end. Is it possible I damaged something from revving the engine after the oil change? It ran for at least a minute solid and yes a put 5 quarts in.
 

Jeff L

G-Body Guru
Nov 20, 2016
508
684
93
Southern AZ
Anything is possible. The worst time for an engine is startup when everything is dry from what I have seen over the years.

When I do my oil changes my car had just taken a highway ride and the oil is very hot and I figured more gunk will come out in the oil change. Plus I figured the engine would not be totally dry because the parts would still have some old oil on them.

A good hint is if possible always put new oil in the new filter so you do not get a few seconds of no oil circulating. I know it is difficult when filters are sideways instead of up/down like chevy V8’s.

Hopefully it is nothing serious. Sometimes new oil can loosen some gunk and it might have circulated through?
 

oldmansmonte

G-Body Guru
Oct 29, 2010
594
348
63
Buffalo, NY
Anything is possible. The worst time for an engine is startup when everything is dry from what I have seen over the years.

When I do my oil changes my car had just taken a highway ride and the oil is very hot and I figured more gunk will come out in the oil change. Plus I figured the engine would not be totally dry because the parts would still have some old oil on them.

A good hint is if possible always put new oil in the new filter so you do not get a few seconds of no oil circulating. I know it is difficult when filters are sideways instead of up/down like chevy V8’s.

Hopefully it is nothing serious. Sometimes new oil can loosen some gunk and it might have circulated through?


Motor has 6k on it so imagine it's pretty gunkless. I feel like a fool for revving it that high just aftet changing the oil. It's possible it may have started before the rev and I didn't notice it. It could have even started during my last drive for all I know. I have a few friends that are mechanics that I'm waiting for them to get back to me. Hopefully it's just a rocker adjustment needed.
 

MrSony

Geezer
Nov 15, 2014
6,793
6,678
113
Des Moines, Iowa
Easy enough, take off the VCs and check the lash on the rockers. Might be a stuck lifter or one that bleeds down for some reason while running.
I do my oil changes no earlier than 24 hours after the last run so make sure I get it bone dry. I I disable the ignition and just crank it over until I see oil pressure. Then I start er up, check for leaks, and be on my way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

lilbowtie

Comic Book Super Hero
Jan 7, 2006
3,460
3,965
113
Canton Mi
Hopefully running the valves will take care of it - Poly locks would stop the adjusting nut from backing off and if you don't have screw-in studs you might be pulling studs.
 

Sleeperchevy454

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Mar 15, 2017
33
16
8
Illinois
Do you have oil pressure?ive heard of brand new pumps being junk if not getting oil up there the lifters won't be able to pump up thus causing tick?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor