Cold Start Lifter Clicking

[Squirrely]

I had a lifter that would randomly click during cold start, and sometimes during a road trip it would clack maybe once for a few minutes. Pulled the valve cover and found one bent push rod that I replaced. I didn't expect this to fix the problem and it didn't.

 

I just replaced all my lifters and push rods last week. I figured why not, especially since my intake manifold gasket was shot and spewing antifreeze.

 

I did everything to spec in the book. Zero lash and then 1 full turn on the rockers. Oil pressure is 40 to 60 pounds. Cam looked good... at least from what I could see through the lifter holes.

 

I still get a cold start click sometimes. No more trip click. Replaced oil and made sure new filter had the anti drain back.

 

I think it is the #1 exhaust.... But it won't click with the cover off.

 

Truck runs like new though.

 

Any thoughts?

[Mike G]

Could it be a slight exhaust leak, since it only does it cold? My understanding is that folks have been clearing up their lifter tick by moving to a synth blend or full synth oil. I actually need to do this on the next il change in our 02 Avy.

--Mike

[rodram]

... I have a lifter ticking for a short while on startup on the cold mornings on my 1997 5.7L (it's been -10*C to 0*C) here in the mornings lately... the colder it is the longer the lifter ticks... I just let it warm up a bit while I am scraping the frost off the windows... by the time the windows are scraped clean everything seems to be running smooth and quiet... it seems that in the summer warmer months I don't hear the ticking at all.

 

... I always use 5W30 Quaker State Full Synthetic ... so while I believe it is good to use full synthetic oil in your engine, I would not expect the lifters to be quiet just because of this oil.. although whith conventional oil the ticking might be more exaggerated..?

[Squirrely]

I need to take a good look at the exhaust manifolds.

The only two other possibilities that I'm aware of are a worn cam lobe, or bad cam bearings. To my understanding if the bearings are bad, the oil pressure would not be 40+ pounds. Maybe a lobe...

 

I hope it magically stops.

 

I do run full synthetic. For another 10 dollars I figured why not.

 

No ticking today!!!!