Bad lifters? how to tell.

[Blacdout96]

Ok, so about a month ago I had to take my camaro off the road after developing a ticking noise. Now ill go into the backround of this. I took off at a light, and with 4:10's 1st to second is like 15mph lol, but my trans has been acting up since I went to the opening of raceway parks road course. anywho It went a little too into the RPM's and finally shifted. The car sounds fine when idling, not a noise in the world, then at 2500+RPM, it develops a noise like a rod broke, let it go back down to idle, and not a noise. a few people suggested that it could be a bad lifter (s). So My question is, anybody agree, and how do I test a bad lifter, it could either be seized, or bleeding off. and if not, what else could it be.

[LTb1ow]

Well have you popped your valve covers off? Checked that the rockers are tight and snug?

[Blacdout96]

yup, infact the engine is torn down right now. I looked at the valvesprings, rocker arms, pushrods, valve locks, all look good.

[LTb1ow]

b. Noisy Valve Lifters
When checking hydraulic valve lifters, remember that grit, sludge, varnish or other foreign matter will seriously affect operation of these lifters. If any foreign substance is found in the lifters or engine where it may be circulated by the lubrication system, a thorough cleaning job must be done to avoid a repetition of lifter trouble.

To help prevent lifter trouble, the engine oil and oil filter must be changed as recommended in the service manual. The engine oil must be heavy-duty type (MS marked on container) and must also conform to GM Specification 6041-M to avoid detrimental formation of sludge and varnish. A car owner should be specifically advised of these requirements when the car is delivered. Faulty valve lifter operation usually appears under one of the following conditions:

1. Rapping noise only when the engine is started. When engine is stopped, any lifter on a camshaft lobe is under pressure of the valve spring; therefore, leak down or escape of oil from the lower chamber can occur. When the engine is started a few seconds may be required to fill the lifter, particularly in cold weather. If noise occurs only occasionally, it may be considered normal requiring no correction. If noise occurs daily, however, check for (a) oil too heavy for prevailing temperatures, (b) excessive varnish in lifter.
2. Intermittent Rapping Noise. An intermittent rapping noise that appears and disappears every few seconds indicates leakage at check ball seat due to foreign particles, varnish, or defective surface of check ball or seat. Recondition, clean, and/or replace lifters as necessary.
3. Noise at idle and low speed. If one or more valve lifters are noisy on idle at up to approximately 25 mph but quiet at higher speeds, it indicates excessive leak down or faulty check ball seat on plunger. With engine idling, lifters with excessive leak down rate may be spotted by pressing down on each rocker arm above the push rod with equal pressure. Recondition or replace noisy lifters.
4. Generally noisy at all speeds. Check for high oil level in crankcase. See subparagraph (1) above. With engine idling, strike each rocker arm above push rod several sharp blows with a mallet; if noise disappears, it indicates that foreign material was keeping check ball from seating. Stop engine and place lifters on camshaft base circle. If there is lash clearance in any valve train, it indicates a stuck lifter plunger, worn lifter body lower end, or worn camshaft lobe.
5. Loud noise at normal operating temperature only. If a lifter develops a loud noise when engine is at normal operating temperature, but is quiet when engine is below normal temperature, it indicates an excessively fast leak down rate or scored lifter plunger. Recondition or replace lifter.