ticking until warm

I have a 1997 k-1500 350 with about 111000 mi. Recently it developed a tick at start-up. (one morning it started ticking - no warning) At first the ticking stopped quickly, now it ticks until the engine is at normal operating temp. Performance seems the same. Any ideas? Thankyou.

Might be some carbon build-up in your exhaust valves, causing them to stick a bit. Put some injector cleaner or some sea-foam in your tank. That might help break it down. Its just an idea, my truck ran a little rough for a while untill I put cleaner in my tank, and it runs great now.

Thankyou for the tip, I will try that and report any progress.

if its not carbon build up, i would suggest getting under your truck while you start it cold, and listen to where the sound comes from.. I had this problem before, and it turned out to be my torque converter... jsut have alisten.

if it is coming from your engine compartment(sticking push rod or rockerarms out of adjustment), here is a way to determine exactly where it is coming from(down to specific cylinder). Use a auto stethescope or you can do this for free, it is really ghetto and you might get srange looks from neighbors. Any ways, find a short length of metal tube(electrical tube) and a funnel. Put the skinny end of the funnel to the end of the tube(hold it or tape it), place the other end of the tube to various spots on the engine(valve covers/intake manifold/exhaust manifold etc.) and put your ear to the funnel, you should be able to find the location of the "ticking". This is also a good method to find out which pulley/bearing is squeeking. Hope this helps.

I'm surprised no one has suggested a stuck or clogged lifter. I'm just a "shade tree" mechanic with 40 years on Chevys but "ticking that goes away" sure seems a likely symptom!

Check you exhaust manifolds as well. Those bolts come loose and as the heat expands the metal it tightens the gap and stops the leak.

sounds like a lifter....although my 96 does it and it's the dreaded....PISTON SLAP!!!!!!!!!!

I very strongly agree with sub006 this sound like sticky gummed up lifters. That is my experience.

exhaust leak gets my vote.