Hello all. I finally got around to some upgrades on my ride. After 520,000 miles I installed a reman 5.3. Drove it 11,000 miles and installed a TSP stage 1low lift cam. Drove it for a couple of weeks so the ecm could get used to it, then wanted to see what the cam would do.

When I first installed the reman engine, it sounded a little like a sewing machine with lifter noise, but running it to redline after break in caused no problems. When the new cam was installed it still sounded like a sewing machine with the lifters making some noise. After wrapping it up a few times, I have one or more lifters making LOTS of noise.
So now what? I know the engine will have to come apart, but what am I looking for? I’m bummed, because it runs great with the new cam. It is still my daily driver, so until I retire I’m not able to have it down more than a weekend.
I appreciate any knowledge passed my way.

 

Check the lifter trays, if they let the roller lifters rotate, then the lifters and the cam are probably ruined. Is it running any different or just making noise? Could just be the lifters collapsing.

 

Cut the oil filter open. That will let you know if its really really bad or maybe not so bad.

 

The reman engine may have low quality lifters in it. Also on a reman they don't check pushrod length. If they surfaced the head's or deck it could have too much lifter preload causing excessive noise.

I would recommend checking that.

 

Thanks, even though I love the torque this cam makes, I am going back to the stock cam until I have time to check everything out.

 

The engine runs really well. It just sounds like old school Rhodes lifters, which I’m pretty sure they are not.

 

Thank you, however the engine continues to run well, I just don’t rev it past 3k for now. I appreciate the suggestion.

 

1FastBrick, I am in agreement with you. Even though this is a reman engine still under warranty, I think I’m going to pull the heads and replace all the lifters and pushrods…..when I get some time. Putting the stock cam back in it will at least keep me from cringing when it downshifts.

 

If the lifters are making noise, changing the cam won't help. They will continue to have the same problem with the old cam.

 

if you replaced an iron block with an aluminum block, you will hear more valvetrain noise. Did you add longtubes with the new motor? that can also amplify valvetrain noise. Even stock lifters can vary in pushrod length. I once had a stock bottom LS2 that i dropped another OEM LS2 lifter into. The cup on that particular lifter was .050 deeper than the cups in the lifters that came in the motor. Before pulling the cam I would check for proper pushrod length. also look around for exhaust leaks that may trick you into thinking you have valvetrain noise. I removed the deteriorated foam from below the stock truck manifold on one of my trucks and swore the valvetrain got louder. higher lifter preload is sometimes a good trick to reduce valvetrain noise. I usually shoot for .060 to .080 preload on stock lifters.



In the end, some engines make more noise than others. I've called these LS engines sewing machines since I started playing with them in 2001. I just sold a 2002 HD with 285,000 miles and replaced it with a 2002 HD with 160,000 miles. The lower mile engine has a more pronounced sewing machine sound than the higher mileage truck.