Need Help With Diagnosing 2001 Pontiac Grand AM Lifter Noise

I recently changed the lower intake manifold gasket on my 2001 Pontiac Grand AM (3400 V6) because the gasket was leaking coolant. It has been almost a week since I performed the procedure and I now have an obnoxious tap coming from the rear bank (cylinders 1, 3, 5). In case you don't already know, in order to change this gasket one must remove the rocker arms and push rods. When I reinstalled the pushrods and rocker arms I torqued the rocker arms to 168 in.-lbs. (14 ft.-lbs.) and then rotated the bolts an extra 30 degrees. I also made sure to keep the push rods and rocker arms together and install them in their previous spot. I have changed the oil and the noise is still present. Also, the noise is not instantaneous; when the engine has been off for 10 minutes or more and then is restarted, there is no tapping noise until about 30 seconds of operation. I thought that was kind of odd and maybe a clue as to what the problem might be. Note: as engine speed increases so does the noise.

If the rockers were set right, and the valve lash is correct, then you probly hav moisture still in some of the back lifters.
When ever I hav done a LIM job I always try to clean the lifters. Either by just plunging them into some fresh clean oil(not that oil has freshness) or dis assembling them one at a time and cleaning/drying them, then reoil as assemebled.
But I'm sure you dont want to dismantle the motor again, If the noise is persistant and not getting any better try changing the oil again, maybe add some cleaner for this purpose then change the oil.

If that doesnt work after a 100 miles orso, you just might hav to tear it down again :banghead:

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