5.3 Tick/Knock?

JPVortex said:

yeah would probably need a right hand drill no chance I fit a normal one in there.

But also I’m starting to think it’s a lifter not an exhaust leak. The tick almost sounds like it’s coming from farther up on that bank not from that exhaust bolt missing.

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Doubeleive said:

use a stethoscope

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rockola1971 said:

Drop a quart of transmission fluid in your oil and let idle. See if tick goes away. (Do all this immediately BEFORE you do an oil change). DO NOT drive around with a quart of tranny fluid in your oil. Tranny fluid will free up stuck lifters.

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JPVortex said:

Yeah I’ve read about this will definitely try this when the time comes(still have like 1k miles until the next change). How long would you recommend idling it in the driveway before dropping the oil?

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Fless said:

According to Haynes, the torque setting for the rocker arm bolts is 22 ft-lbs. And here's the short part of the installation instructions:

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viven44 said:

How likely is it for a loose rocker arm ? If/when valve covers are off, be good to check all the rockers, ensure the engine is at the appropriate TDC positions before checking each rocker.

I don't know much about these LS engines... but assume these are like any old pushrod with non-adjustable valves. I would certainly like a link to any factory manual procedure to check rocker bolt torque for my reference.

Thread below seems like a good reference

5.3 Valve Lash

Hello, I am new here but i have a 2001 5.3 vortec tahoe. It is having some valve knock or lifter rattle on startup and i want to lash my valves. does anyone have a guide on this or the exact torque specs and lash chart? thanks.

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

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viven44 said:

Thanks much. Simple enough. If the OP is trying this, I must insist using an accurate torque wrench. A 3/8 inch torque wrench but I prefer an adapter like this.

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-59-59-ft-lb-digital-torque-adapter-58705.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12192884362&campaignid=12192884362&utm_content=163981024442&adsetid=163981024442&product=58705&store=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6oi4BhD1ARIsAL6pox3L1rx2qI4Fu2UHqpFip90xCj0vm4jES5ltymTa3_rdthBnnHrNQtcaAhOVEALw_wcB

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JPVortex said:

Yeah definitely will retighten each of the rocker arm bolts(at least on passenger side) when I do that valve cover gasket job.

Based on the manual that @Fless sent over, seems you don't have to set TDC for each cylinder. Seems like you set cyl. 1 to TDC and tighten half the cylinders bolts down to 22ft lbs. Then you rotate the engine 360 degrees and torque the other side.

Doesn't that mean the whole time you're setting the torque that you'll have cyl. 1 at TDC?

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