Ive had a tick coming from my motor for a little while now. I feel it maybe a lifter or push rod tick. If it is a lifter tick, I want to replace the lifter. But I'm wondering is there anything I need to worry about on the camshaft. I know that the cam lobs will wear to the lifter and putting a new lifter on that cam lob it won't be the same. Is there anything I need to be worried about, Like shortened lifter life or premature wear on the cam lob ? Or am I just over thinking it.
If anyone could chime in it would be appreciated

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Many folks have reported good results from replacing lifters on the OE cam. Yet it's obviously ideal to replace the cam as well. Before you make that decision, it would be best to inspect each lifter and it's mated cam lobe. Sometimes the wear that is causing the lifter tick is obvious, like a super wide or an edge wear pattern on a cam lobe or a concave lifter face. Sometimes you have to dig deeper and get out the dial indicator.

Where the lifter meets the cam lobe is called the face. The face of the lifter is convex in shape and has a crown height from anywhere between .0015"-.0025". You'll want to check each lifter to make sure it still has sufficient crown height. Inspect the camshaft lobe as well. Each cam lobe is ground with a slight taper. This taper is what forces the lifter to spin in it's bore. The taper of each lobe should be between 15-25 degrees.

If you have a concave lifter, the cam lobe will be trashed as well. If you put a new lifter on that cam lobe, the lifter won't last long. Take some time and figure out exactly what's going on. Best case scenario is that the lifter plungers just need a cleaning. A soak in mineral spirits and a few shots of compressed air takes care of that.

 

This is good to know. Thanks for the insight and help.

 

Is it a loud or bad tick? I ask because these engines arent known for being quiet running.

Does the engine have good oil pressure and does it look healthy under the valve cover?

 

You obviously have to pull head to replace lifters. You can put new lifters on an old cam...cant put old lifters on a new cam and you cant mix old lifters on old cam except exactly where they came from. A tic is not damaging...just annoying. I have had good luck running marvels in the oil for a month or so to stop a valve tic. If your going to replace the lifters...which ones will you buy...i am not thrilled with the ones in my stroker sadly dont remember where i got them

 

Step 1 Must check lifter preload.
Step 2 Go to Step 1.