Lifter Noise

[verbanik]

Should you hear any lifter tap at all in the Lt-1's? I have been looking at prior posts and answers and did not see anything about a slight noise. Oil pressure is good, and I believe the noise goes away after driving, I know the car has not been driven a lot over the last few years and since winter is setting in I won't be driving it much until the spring.

The lifters are mechanical (Solid) lifters and are adjustable correct? I will have to go back to a previos post to look up the procedure from the archive, any responce would be appreciated. I have also purchased the 72 Serv Manual and assembly maual, so I have been reviewing the instructions.

Thanks

 

[early shark]

Yes, you should hear them, when the engine is idleing. However, it is not as noticeable once the car starts moving, the stock exhaust song starts to take over!

I have the LT-1's big brother!

 

[verbanik]

You are correct, the exhaust does start singing. Also does anyone know how to get to the archives, I did a search on adj procedures and did not find anything. I thought I saw a post that said we can pull up archive stuff?

 

[Mike Baskette]

The lifters do make a small amount of noise. If you are not sure as to how to adjust, let a pro do it. Burnt valves are not a pleasent thing.

 

[verbanik]

That’s just it, I was just trying to get a consensus of small amount of noise. I have adjusted other cars numerous times and would like to get the sequence that is required.

None of the tech manuals I have looked at represent that sequence, and it has been a while, but it’s not rocket science.

I don't think this site or the Forum have their Archives going back as far as the email I saw earlier. I guess its time to go over to the terribly archaic NCRS website.
Thanks

 

[JJS]

I have a '71 LT-1 that had a frame-off restoration done by the previous owner.
It's a numbers matching car, but the solid lifters/cam were replaced for some
reason (hydrolic lifters) during the resto.

The engine was balanced and blueprinted at this time (according to the previous owner...I have most, if not all of the receipts for the restoration, I just never went though all of them - pics too!), and I haven't had any problems with the car since I purchased it. It's a beautiful, powerful, awesome car that I really enjoy. I've never had a problem with it. In fact, I have a reputable corvette restorer do all the work on my car, and he's told me that it's a top notch resto job. He, and his employees tell me it's one of the nicest resto's they've ever seen on a C3....it's straight as an arrow, and everything is nice and tight. They told me they've seen some really bogus frame-off resto's that come in their shop needing a LOT of work....really shoddy workmanship, I guess.

The thing is, I'd REALLY like to have the original solid lifter/cam setup that came with the car. Could any of you tell me the pro's and con's of having this work done, and how much you think ($$) I'd be looking at? Like I said, the car runs and looks perfect, so it's not like I need to do this, it's just that this is all that keeps it from being perfectly stock. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I don't think I've ever heard a car sound as sweet as this one. This thing just rumbles....even at idle!

I'd appreciate all inputs.

 

[Jack]

I have a '71 LT-1 that had a frame-off restoration done by the previous owner. It's a numbers matching car, but the solid lifters/cam were replaced for some reason (hydrolic lifters) during the resto.

The thing is, I'd REALLY like to have the original solid lifter/cam setup that came with the car. Could any of you tell me the pro's and con's of having this work done, and how much you think ($$) I'd be looking at? Like I said, the car runs and looks perfect, so it's not like I need to do this, it's just that this is all that keeps it from being perfectly stock. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I don't think I've ever heard a car sound as sweet as this one. This thing just rumbles....even at idle! I'd appreciate all inputs.

JJS: Please don't hold me to this ... but seems like I read somewhere that 1970 LT-1 was last year for solids. Maybe someone with direct knowledge will chime in to support this or correct me? Set of solids can be had for about $50 and a blueprint/copy cam for about $100 ... then whatever your favorite shop gets for cam change labor. Solids require occasional valve clearance check/adjust ... hydraulics seldom do. Solids permit motor to rev higher than hydraulics.
JACK:gap

 

[MMM]

All '70 through '72 LT-1's used solid lifters. You should hear lifter noise as it is normal with solids'. If they are out of adjustment you will hear more than usual, but at idle you will always hear the solid lifter tap or click, that is the nature of the beast. I don't know the clearance specs (for valve adjustment) off the top of my head, but I am sure they can be found elsewhere on this site or on the NCRS web site.
Mike

 

[YellowLT1]

Corvette Enthusiast

Check out the Oct. '04 issue of Corvette Enthusiast. Good article on lifter adjustment specs.

Rgds

 

[verbanik]

Thanks