Lifter Tick

Okay, just got my engine back together after replacing the bad head gasket. 3.4l, and it started up first time...yeah!!!

However noticed a loud ticking sound that was never there before, that would increase as I reved the engine. Sounds like its coming from the front valve cover, so figure its the lifters. Have read some threads here about these being loud, but I have never noticed it like this. I let it idle for quite awhile (till thermostat opened up) and it didn't go away. Read it could be dirt in the hydraulic lifter, but I was pretty careful about that when it was apart, and yes I made sure I put the right pushrods back in...any thoughts on what I could do.

If hydraulic lifters are not working I presume you could really damage the push rods and lead to total engine failure. Any thoughts to rectify, ideally without having to rip the darn thing apart again!!! Fun once, but I really don't want to have to do it again. Thanks.

Alot of 3400 engines suffer from piston slap regardless of either low or high mileage but the ticking sound normally disappears once the engine warms up. In your case I would remove the front valve cover and make sure the rocker arms are adjusted correctly to specs based on your year engine. There is an initial torque spec and then an additional X amount of degrees clockwise. Can't remember that off the top of my head.

When you do a top end job and depending on your mileage it is a good idea to replace the lifters too and other valve train components. I wouldn't wait to long to take corrective action.

Oh sure now you tell me! :)

Yeah I did the rockers up to the correct torque, plus 30'.

Have heard that adding oil suppliments may help un-stick a lifter? Is this generally agreed to?

Will take a closer listen to the valves, and remove the cover to see if one of the rods is loose. I'll try running some more to see if it unsticks itself, but won't be putting it under load. tks