Thread: Bad Lifters?

Hello everyone....just found this site and this is my first post.
I have an '02 GP N/A 3.8L. Just recently, I have been hearing a loud ticking sound from the engine when starting. Plus, it idles very roughly until it's driven about 3-4 miles. After the engine warms up, the ticking noise goes away and the idle smooths out. I am pretty sure it's one or more lifters that are causing the noise. I have watched the 33 min. video mentioned here a couple of times and I think I could probably handle the project of replacing the lifters. One thing that bothers me from the video is the mention of the plastic "elbows" on the alternator bracket. How are they attached? And, how hard are they to put in so they don't leak?
In the meantime, I have tried putting a quart of Rislone into my oil pan and it seems like it is a little better, but the noise is still there somewhat.
Am I safe to run the car a while with the noisy lifters? Or, am I creating more damage by doing this?

Thanks for any advice you all can give.

Thanks for the info. Another question I have is that somewhere I read that the bolts that hold the rocker arms get "stretched" when originally installed and that you must buy new bolts to re-install the rocker arms.
Is this true?
Thanks again for any help you can give to me on this project.

When replacing the lifters, is there a certain way they are put in? Two sides of the lifters are flat.

The coolant elbows are plastic and can easily break just from romoving. Both elbows have ends that are on the belt tensioner, coolant runs from one elbow, thru the tensioner, and then thru the last elbow. The two elbows are most parts stores are literally $4.00 for both. If you remove the tensioner, buy the elbows in case you break them, most likely they will break on you. A very, very, stupid design!

I knew the roller side went towards the cam. I should have clarified what I meant. My question is does the roller go in paraelle or perpendicular to the cam?

Hey, new to the block and posted a similar question!! Should have read more into it!! First, does anyone have the link to the video mentioned above? I am getting new lifters as well and was debating getting the comp cam's one but mentioned above to get the Corvette LS7 lifters.. I plan to further mod the car and would like to get better stuff while I'm in there fixing issues at hand so any more info or opinions regarding this would be appreciated!! Right now my car has a resonator delete Flowmaster cat back exhaust system and I have a Magnaflow high flow cat and Ubend delete pipe ordered (then this happens). I will start on motor mods once I get it running back right again!!

Someone asked where they could find the video I mentioned in my original post. Here's a link to the video. It's very infomative.

http://www.cpaclubgp.com/misc/lim-gasket.html

Just an update to my original post.
I originally had a very bad lifter noise and my car would run like crap for a couple of minutes until the lifter quieted down. I added a full quart of Rislone to my oil and ran it for about a week. This seemed to quiet the lifter down somewhat but it didn't completely get rid of the problem. After a week, I changed the oil, put in Castrol GTX 10-30 plus one half quart of Lucas oil treatment. Oh, changed the filter to AC/Delco too. This has dramatically reduced the noise now to just a little rattle on startup for a few seconds and then quiet. (well, at least quiet for a 3.8L....LOL !!). I am going to run it for a while to see if the lifter noise comes back. If so, then I guess I am going to have to do the whole lifter changeout.

Thanks again for your input. I really appreciate it.

Thanks for the link!!!

I have heard pros and cons with the Lucas stuff.. Don't get me wrong, Lucas makes some of the best stuff out there but dang that stuff is THICK!!!! I don't see how it can do what it does!!! But Good luck, I think I am off to order lifters for mine..

I haven't ordered any yet!!!!! What should I get?? I'm tearing into it this weekend and am wondering if the parts stores one are ok or should I use something different?

I'm assuming $129.99 for a set, that's cheaper than the Comp Cams lifters!! Now if you don't mind me asking what's the difference? Will I need new pushrods and rocker arms or are these just a direct replacement?? Just wondering why they are better.. I have heard several times from other people that Corvette lifters are better to use but never heard why? I mean if I went to the local parts store they are $10 to $12 a piece so I'd rather go this route, I mean $9 more for better ones over my stock ones.. No brainer.. Thanks!!!